President Donald Trump’s joint attack on Israel and Iran has been reacting from all corners of the U.S. political spectrum, with Republicans primarily voicing support, but Democrats failing to offer a firm, unified response.
The attack reportedly killed at least 201 people, including more than 80 at a school in southern Iran, many of them children.
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Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in the region, not only in Israel but also in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, raising concerns that the conflict could spiral out of control and the region descend into violence.
YouGov’s first poll, conducted on February 28 after the airstrike, suggested that 33 percent of American adults supported a U.S. attack on Iran, and 45 percent disapproved. Sixty-eight percent of Republicans expressed support, while support among Democrats and independents was only 10% and 21%, respectively.
Here’s how some of America’s most prominent lawmakers and politicians are reacting.
President Donald Trump: “Shortly ago, the U.S. military launched a major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to protect the American people by eliminating the imminent threat from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hardline and fearful people whose menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our military, our overseas bases, and our allies around the world.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson: “Iran now faces serious consequences for its evil actions. President Trump and his administration have made every effort to seek peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian regime’s continued nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and murder of Americans and even its own people.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune: “For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, expanding ballistic missile inventory, and unwavering support for regional terrorist groups have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. military personnel, regional citizens, and many of our allies. Despite the persistent efforts of the President and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused to retreat diplomatically to resolve these national security concerns. We commend President Trump for taking action to stop these threats.”
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Donald Trump did not seek Congressional approval before attacking Iran. Instead, the president’s decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a major military attack has left the U.S. military vulnerable to Iranian retaliatory action. We pray for the safety of our soldiers who are at risk in this dangerous theater.”
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: “The administration has failed to provide Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and severe repression against the Iranian people will require American strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s continued vitriol and risk of broader conflict is not a viable strategy.”
Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib: “The American people do not want war with Iran. Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of America’s political elites and Israel’s apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say “no more wars.” ”
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “The American people are being dragged into yet another war they don’t want by a president who doesn’t care about the long-term consequences of his actions. This war is illegal. It’s unnecessary. And it will be disastrous. Just this week, Iran and the United States were negotiating important steps that could have avoided war. The president has stepped away from these discussions and chosen war instead.”
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani: “Today’s military attack on Iran by the United States and Israel marks a catastrophic escalation of an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities. Killing civilians. The beginning of a new war. Americans don’t want this. They don’t want another war for regime change. They want relief from the price crisis. They want peace.”
Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders: “This Trump-Netanyahu war is unconstitutional and violates international law. This war is endangering the lives of U.S. troops and people across the region. We have lived through the lies of Vietnam and Iraq. We can no longer have endless wars. Congress must immediately pass a War Powers Resolution.”
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen: “Trump is lying to the American people by launching an illegal regime change war against Iran. This is putting American lives at risk and has already caused massive civilian casualties. This will not make us safer and will only harm America and our interests. The Senate must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop it.”
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I fervently pray that the long-suffering oppression of the Iranian people will soon come to an end. And I fervently pray that we stand on the brink of a new dawn in the Middle East, with a historic opportunity for lasting peace and prosperity. As for President Trump, an ally of Israel, and all those under his command, your courage has brought about the end of evil and darkness and the beginning of light. Well done.”
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna: “Mr. Trump has launched an illegal regime-change war in Iran, putting American lives at risk. Congress must convene on Monday and vote on Congressman Thomas Massie’s and my WPR (War Powers Resolution) to stop this. Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend to say how they will vote.”
Republican Congressman Thomas Massey: “I’m against this war. This is not ‘America First.’ When Congress reconvenes, I will work with Congressman Ro Khanna to force a vote in Congress on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote and your representative must go on record as opposing or supporting this war. ”
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton: “Iran’s missile program poses an imminent threat to the United States and our allies. I am grateful that President Trump is taking the necessary actions to protect our homeland.”
Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff: “Trump is drawing our country into yet another foreign war that the American people do not want and Congress does not authorize. The Iranian regime is a brutal and murderous dictatorship. But that does not give Trump the power to unilaterally start any war of his choice.”
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman: “Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what is right and necessary to bring true peace to this region. God bless America, our great military, and Israel.”
Former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris: “Donald Trump is dragging America into a war that the American people don’t want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime change war in Iran, and our military is at risk because of the war Trump has chosen.”
Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene: “We said, ‘No more foreign wars, no more regime change!'” We said it on stage at rallies, in speech after speech. Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance, basically the entire administration campaigned on this, promising to put America first and to make America great again. While my generation has been failed, abused, and exploited by our government for most of our adult lives, our children’s generation has been literally abandoned. ”
