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Republicans, AIPAC Dems unite in support of Trump’s war [1]
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Date: 2025-06-23 18:32:49+00:00
Republican lawmakers and hawkish Democrats are voicing their support for President Donald Trump’s strikes on three Iranian nuclear site.
“The regime deserves it. Well done, President Trump,” tweeted Senator Lindsey Graham. “To my fellow citizens: We have the best Air Force in the world. It makes me so proud.”
“President Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear program is the right one,” wrote Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). “The greatest threat to the safety of the United States and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon. God Bless our troops.”
“President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated,” claimed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) “That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision and clarity.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said Trump made the “courageous and correct decision.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) praised Trump’s “decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime.”
A number of hawkish Democrats, backed by Israel lobbying groups, have also proclaimed their support for Trump’s bombings.
“Iran is a terrorist nation, and we must do everything we can to stop it from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” posted Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY). “Debates will now ensue about presidential authority and the President working with Congress. The President should work with Congress, especially those of us who recognize how important it is to finally stop Iran.”
“We don’t yet know what this means for the regime’s nuclear work or ambitions, but it absolutely means that the regime has been further weakened – which is good for those who want peace,” claimed Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH).
“Iran has the material to build a nuclear weapon and wouldn’t process it unless it plans to,” alleged Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) How could the world leave the leading state sponsor of terrorism to develop nuclear weapons? I fully support eliminating this existential threat to us all.”
“The world can achieve peace in the Middle East, or it can accept a rogue nuclear weapons program—but it cannot have both,” tweeted Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY).
Congressional opposition to war
An exception to the overwhelming GOP support is Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who is co-sponsoring a bipartisan War Powers resolution with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). The legislation was introduced just days before the attack.
“When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that’s an act of war,” tweeted Massie. “I’m amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren’t at war… so they can make war.”
Dozens of Democrats have criticized Trump’s decision and backed bills requiring Trump to seek congressional approval for war. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) has introduced a Senate War Powers Resolution to go along with the aforementioned Massie/Khanna bill.
So far, 52 lawmakers (all Democrats besides Massie) back the House effort, and three have signed onto the Senate bill.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has introduced legislation to prevent federal funds from being used for war. It has eight cosponsors so far.
Many prominent Democrats who have expressed concerns about Trump’s process have effectively endorsed his rationale.
After Israel launched its unprovoked attacks on Iran, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for a “rigorous diplomatic path forward,” but asserted that the U.S. support for Israel is “ironclad” and claimed that Iran “poses a grave threat to the entire free world.”
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also used the word “ironclad” when referring to support for Israel.
“The Iranian regime’s stated policy has long been to destroy Israel and Jewish communities around the world,” he stated. “I have long said that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Ensuring they never obtain one must remain a top national security priority.”
“It’s unlikely most Democratic hawks will come out in open support of an attack that carries such political risks; like with Iraq 20 years ago, things could quickly go off the rails,” wrote Sarah Lazare and Adam Johnson in The Intercept. “Yet, even as party leaders seek to burnish their credentials as the “resistance” to Trump, they’re tacitly, and sometimes openly, giving Trump a green light to lurch America into yet another open-ended war of choice.”
In contrast to these positions, a number of progressive Democrats have voiced clear opposition to a war.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Trump’s decision was “absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”
“Diplomacy—not unilateral military aggression—is the only responsible path to saving lives. We must choose peace over chaos and the rule of law over authoritarian impulse,” said Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA).
“President Trump sending U.S. troops to bomb Iran without the consent of Congress is a blatant violation of our Constitution,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) The American people do not want another forever war. We have seen where decades of endless war in the Middle East gets us—all based on the lie of ‘weapons of mass destruction.’ We are not falling for it again.”
“Instead of listening to the American people, Trump is listening to War Criminal Netanyahu, who lied about Iraq and is lying once again about Iran,” she continued. “Congress must act immediately to exert its war powers and stop this unconstitutional act of war.”
Polls indicate that the domestic population has virtually no thirst for another war. A Economist/YouGov survey from earlier this month found that 60% of Americans oppose the U.S. becoming involved while just 16% back intervention.
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[1] Url:
https://mondoweiss.net/2025/06/republicans-aipac-dems-unite-in-support-of-trumps-war/
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