President Donald Trump's announcement that U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities has ignited a wave of criticism in Congress, with lawmakers across party lines challenging the constitutionality of the operation and demanding a formal vote before further military engagement.
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," Trump posted on Truth Social late Saturday, adding that "all planes are now outside of Iran air space" and declaring, "NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!"
But the decision to bypass Congress before authorizing the use of military force has triggered an immediate response from lawmakers. Representative Thomas Massie (R., Ky.), a vocal critic of U.S. intervention abroad, wrote on X, "This is not Constitutional." He added, "This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our constitution."
Massie said he plans to introduce a war powers resolution on Tuesday that would prohibit American involvement in hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization. The Constitution's Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the sole authority to declare war, though Article II allows the president limited war powers as commander-in-chief-an ambiguity that has fueled decades of legal and political debate.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) also condemned the operation during a campaign rally in Tulsa. "It is so grossly unconstitutional. All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right," Sanders said, prompting chants of "no more war" from attendees.
While the majority of Republican lawmakers voiced support for Trump's decision, the divide within the party was evident. Senator John Cornyn (R., Texas) posted on X, "President Trump made the courageous and correct decision to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. God Bless the USA... This is what leadership on the world stage looks like."
Others, including Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), have pushed for a more aggressive approach toward Iran. Last week,Graham urged Trump to "go all in" to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Senator Tim Kaine (D., Va.) introduced a resolution Monday reaffirming that no use of U.S. military force against Iran is authorized without a congressional declaration of war or specific authorization. The resolution calls for the president to immediately cease hostilities unless such legal authority is provided.
The constitutional dispute has also divided Trump's conservative base. While neoconservative factions and defense hawks have praised the operation, others in the "America First" wing of the Republican Party have accused the president of betraying his 2016 promise to end "endless wars."
Trump's campaign team defended the strikes by pointing to Iran's continued uranium enrichment at Fordow and Natanz. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the president's view that Iran must "never obtain a nuclear weapon" and said the action was taken only after diplomatic efforts failed.
