Democrats Immediately Reject Trump's Illegal War With Iran

If Trump was hoping that the country would rally around his unpopular presidency after he bombed Iran, he was mistaken as Democrats have rejected his new war.

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When the US was about to invade Iraq two decades ago, the nation was still reeling from 9/11 and waving the flag. At that time, a Republican president pushed a tale of weapons of mass destruction as a justification for war.

Twenty odd years later, a different Republican president is pushing a tale of Iran and nuclear weapons to justify his war, but Democrats aren’t buying it.

Sen. Reuben Gallego (D-AZ) said:

The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East. I would know. I saw close friends die next to me serving as a Marine in a high-combat unit in Iraq. Each of these deaths was needless. We have yet to see any evidence to prove that tonight’s strikes were necessary to protect U.S. national security. President Trump must immediately show why tonight’s strikes were necessary. Without that evidence, President Trump’s bombing of Iran risks the lives of Americans, both civilians at home and our servicemembers in the Middle East. The President’s actions could escalate us into a war. We cannot repeat history and blindly march in to another faraway conflict that puts Americans’ lives at risk.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said:

The American public is overwhelmingly opposed to the U.S. waging war on Iran. And the Israeli Foreign Minister admitted yesterday that Israeli bombing had set the Iranian nuclear program back “at least 2 or 3 years.” So what made Trump recklessly decide to rush and bomb today? Horrible judgment. I will push for all Senators to vote on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war.

Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, said:

I condemn in the strongest terms the President’s decision to order the U.S. military to strike Iran’s nuclear sites. The President did not seek authorization from Congress or demonstrate that Iran posed an immediate threat to the security of the United States. Furthermore, the President failed to provide clear objectives for these actions and there are no guarantees that it will eliminate the possibility of Iran developing a nuclear weapon or how long it might set their program back.

Engaging in direct conflict places U.S. service members and military sites in the Middle East squarely in the crosshairs of Iran and its many proxies. Tonight’s actions could further escalate tensions, destabilize the region, and drag the United States into an avoidable war.

The way to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and to protect American service members is through diplomacy and negotiation, not entering into direct conflict. The path that the President has chosen risks unleashing a wider war in the region that is both incredibly unpredictable and treacherous and that threatens the safety and security of the United States, Israel, and ultimately the world.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said:

Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm’s way.

President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.

First, the Trump administration bears the heavy burden of explaining to the American people why this military action was undertaken. Second, Congress must be fully and immediately briefed in a classified setting. Third, Donald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark said, “The power to declare war resides solely with Congress. Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to attack Iran is unauthorized and unconstitutional. In doing so, the President has exposed our military and diplomatic personnel in the region to the risk of further escalation. The American people, our men and women in uniform, and their families deserve answers.”

Even though cable news is already frothing and salivating at the potential for another war, Democrats are presenting their strongest anti-war unity in decades. Democrats are coming together to say no to this war and to try to force actions that would end Trump’s ability to conduct it.

Contrary to what Trump may claim, this is not a great day for the country or the world. Donald Trump, the isolationist, has been led by the nose by Netanyahu and is stumbling into a potential new war in the Middle East.

The strong response by Democrats across the spectrum is heartening for those who are opposed to war.

What do you think about the rejection of Trump’s war by Democrats? Share your thoughts in the comments below.