Congressional leaders expressed shock Saturday night time about President Donald Trump’s announcement he had ordered a U.S. attacked on three Iranian nuclear websites, with some Republicans praising the transfer and a few Democrats questioning the president’s authority.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, an Israel hawk, mentioned in an X put up moments after Trump introduced the assault that it was “the suitable name.”
“The regime deserves it. Effectively completed, President @realDonaldTrump,” he mentioned. “To my fellow residents: We’ve got the perfect Air Pressure on the earth. It makes me so proud.”
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Pictures – PHOTO: President Donald Trump factors to the brand new flag on the south garden of the White Home on June 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
MORE: Israel-Iran stay updates
However the high Democrat within the Home, Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, mentioned Trump had “misled the nation.”
“Donald Trump promised to carry peace to the Center East. He has didn’t ship on that promise. The chance of warfare has now dramatically elevated, and I pray for the protection of our troops within the area who’ve been put in hurt’s approach,” he mentioned in a press release.
“President Trump misled the nation about his intentions, failed to hunt congressional authorization for using navy power and dangers American entanglement in a probably disastrous warfare within the Center East,” he continued.
“First, the Trump administration bears the heavy burden of explaining to the American folks why this navy motion was undertaken. Second, Congress should be absolutely and instantly briefed in a labeled setting. Third, Donald Trump shoulders full and complete duty for any hostile penalties that movement from his unilateral navy motion,” he added.
Unbiased Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont was on stage at certainly one of his “Battle Oligarchy” occasions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he learn a portion of President Trump’s put up in regards to the strikes to an viewers that instantly started booing.
“Not solely is that this information this that I’ve heard this second alarming — all of you will have simply heard. However it’s so grossly unconstitutional. All of you already know that the one entity that may take this nation to warfare is the U.S. Congress. the president doesn’t have the suitable,” he added.
Rep. Rick Crawford, an Arizona Republican, chair of the Home Intelligence Committee, mentioned in a press release that he was in contact with the president earlier than the assault and nonetheless monitoring the scenario.
“As I’ve mentioned a number of occasions not too long ago, I remorse that Iran has introduced the world so far. That mentioned, I’m grateful President Trump understood that the purple line — articulated by Presidents of each events for many years — was actual,” he mentioned.
At the very least one Republican within the Home, nevertheless, questioned the president’s motion with out congressional authorization.
“This isn’t constitutional,” GOP Rep. Tom Massie of Kentucky, posted.
MORE: US hits 3 Iranian nuclear websites, Trump says, plunging America into battle
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the highest Democrat on the Home Intelligence Committee, posted on X, “In line with the Structure we’re each sworn to defend, my consideration to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full cease.”
“We have to instantly return to DC and vote on @RepThomasMassie and my Conflict Powers Decision to forestall America from being dragged into one other infinite Center East warfare,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., mentioned in an X put up.
Evan Vucci/AP – PHOTO: Home Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the press outdoors the White Home in Washington, June 9, 2025.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson was briefed forward of the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear websites, based on a supply conversant in the matter.
Johnson was purported to be in Israel Sunday to handle the Knesset, however the journey was scrapped due to the continuing battle.
The speaker additionally put out a press release endorsing the strikes, calling it a “decisive” motion that stops terrorism.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune was additionally briefed forward of the U.S. strikes on Iran, based on two sources conversant in the dialog.
GOP Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming posted, “President @realDonaldTrump’s determination to strike Iran’s nuclear program is the suitable one. The best menace to the protection of america and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon. God Bless our troops 🇺🇸”
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn posted, “President Trump made the brave and proper determination to remove the Iranian nuclear menace. God Bless the USA. Thanks to our extraordinary navy and our indomitable @POTUS That is what management on the world stage appears like.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman mentioned on X, “As I’ve lengthy maintained, this was the proper transfer by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s main sponsor of terrorism and can’t have nuclear capabilities. I am grateful for and salute the best navy on the earth. 🇺🇸”
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York posted that President Trump’s strike on Iran constitutes “floor for impeachment,” saying he was “in grave violation of the Structure” with out first receiving congressional authorization.
“The President’s disastrous determination to bomb Iran with out authorization is a grave violation of the Structure and Congressional Conflict Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a warfare which will ensnare us for generations. It’s completely and clearly grounds for impeachment,” she posted.
This can be a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
