U.S. lawmakers react after Trump announces military operation against Iran
#Iran #Trump #Military Operation #Operation Epic Fury #United States #Israel #Congress #War Powers Resolution #Regime Change #National Security
📌 Key Takeaways
- U.S. and Israel launched a military operation against Iran (Operation Epic Fury) early Saturday following weeks of threats from President Trump.
- President Trump stated the goal is to secure freedom and safety for the Iranian people and topple the regime.
- Republican lawmakers largely support the operation, citing national security concerns and the weakness of the Iranian regime.
- Democratic lawmakers criticize the operation, expressing concerns about potential casualties, the lack of justification, and the use of military force without congressional approval.
- Congress is planning to vote on a war powers resolution to potentially halt the operation.
📖 Full Retelling
Reactions are pouring in after the United States and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran early Saturday, following weeks of threats from President Trump. Mr. Trump announced the assault, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," in a video on Truth Social. He called on Iran's military forces to lay down their weapons and on Iran's civilians to rise up and "take over your government." Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the action a "pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests" and said the "Iranian regime has never been weaker." Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham said the operation had "been well-planned" and would be "violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful." Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican representing Arkansas and the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, shared a list of crimes committed by Iran and said the "butcher's bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs." Rep. Nancy Mace wrote on social media that President Trump understood what the weak could not bring themselves to say: that peace is not found in appeasement - it is won. Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona and Iraq War veteran, criticized the operation. Rep. Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of Mr. Trump, appeared to describe the operation as "acts of war unauthorized by Congress" on social media. Democrats are planning to compel a vote on a war powers resolution introduced by Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna.
🏷️ Themes
International Relations, Military Conflict, Political Reactions, War Powers, Regime Change
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Original Source
Politics U.S. lawmakers react after Trump announces military operation against Iran By Kerry Breen Kerry Breen News Editor Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use. Read Full Bio Kerry Breen February 28, 2026 / 8:14 AM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Reactions are pouring in after the United States and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran early Saturday, following weeks of threats from President Trump. Mr. Trump announced the assault, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," in a video on Truth Social. He called on Iran's military forces to lay down their weapons and on Iran's civilians to rise up and "take over your government." Mr. Trump told the Washington Post that he wanted to secure freedom and safety for the Iranian people. Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the action a "pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests" and said the "Iranian regime has never been weaker." Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham said the operation had "been well-planned" and would be "violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful." "My mind is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollah's regime in Iran will soon be no more. The biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us," Graham, a Republican representing South Carolina, said on social media . He offered prayers for anyone participating in the operation, and said the effort will make "America more safe and eventually more prosperous." Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican representing Arkansas and the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, shared a list of crimes committed by Iran and said the "butcher's bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs." "History will r...
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