Figures from across the US political spectrum have reacted to President Donald Trump’s joint attack with Israel on Iran, with Republicans largely vocal in their support and Democrats failing to offer a strong, unified response.
The attacks have 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 against Israel, as well as US bases across the region, located in countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, raising fears that the conflict could spiral out of control and plunge the region into violence.
An initial YouGov poll conducted on February 28, after the attacks, suggested that 33 percent of American adults approved of the United States attacking Iran, while 45 percent disapproved. Among Democrats and independents, approval was just 10 percent and 21 percent, respectively, while 68 percent of Republicans expressed support.
This is how some of the most prominent elected representatives and political figures in the United States have reacted.
President Donald Trump: “The United States military recently began major combat operations in Iran. Our goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a cruel group of very tough and terrible people. Their threatening activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases abroad, and our allies around the world.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson: “Today, Iran faces the serious consequences of its wrongdoing. President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to seek peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans, and even its own people.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune: “For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its increased inventory of ballistic missiles, and its unwavering support for terrorist groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to the U.S. military, citizens of the region, and many of our allies. Despite the tenacious efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has rejected diplomatic solutions that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking steps to thwart these threats.”
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Donald Trump did not seek congressional authorization before attacking Iran. Instead, the president’s decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a massive military strike has left U.S. troops vulnerable to retaliatory actions by Iran. We pray for the safety of the men and women of the U.S. military as they have been put in harm’s way in a dangerous theater of war.”
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 malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and the harsh oppression of the Iranian people requires American strength, determination, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s on-again, off-again cycles of lashing out and risking broader conflict are not a viable strategy.”
Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib: “The American people do not want a war with Iran. Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of the American political elite and the Israeli apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No more wars.”
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want by a president who does not care about the long-term consequences of his actions. This war is illegal. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic. Just this week, Iran and the United States were negotiating key measures that could have prevented war. The president walked away from these discussions and opted for war.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “Today’s military strikes against Iran, carried out by the United States and Israel, mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities, killing civilians, opening a new theater of war. Americans don’t want this. They don’t want another war for regime change. They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace.”
Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders: “This war between Trump and Netanyahu is unconstitutional and violates international law. It endangers the lives of American troops and people throughout the region. We have lived through the lies of Vietnam and Iraq. No more endless wars. Congress must pass a War Powers Resolution immediately.”
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen: “Trump is lying to the American people by launching an illegal war of regime change against Iran. This is endangering American lives and has already led to mass civilian casualties. This does not make us safer and only harms the United States and our interests. The Senate must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop him.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham: “I pray fervently that the long-suffering people of Iran will soon end their oppression. I also pray fervently that we are on the brink of a new dawn in the Middle East, with a historic opportunity for lasting peace and prosperity. As for our allies in Israel, President Trump and all under his command, your bravery has set in motion the end of evil and darkness, and the beginning of light. Well done.”
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna: “Trump has launched an illegal war of regime change in Iran with American lives at risk. Congress must meet Monday to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my WPR (War Powers Resolution) to stop this. Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend as to how they will vote.”
Republican Representative Thomas Massie: “I oppose this war. This is not ‘America First’. When Congress reconvenes, I will work with Representative Ro Khanna to force a vote in Congress on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your representative must declare his opposition or support for this war.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton: “Iran’s missile program represents an imminent threat to the United States and our allies. I appreciate that President Trump is taking the necessary steps to protect our homeland.”
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff: “Trump is dragging our country into another foreign war that Americans do not want and that Congress has not authorized. The Iranian regime is a brutal, murderous dictatorship. But that does not give Trump the authority to unilaterally start a war of choice.”
Democratic Senator John Fetterman: “Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what is right and necessary to bring about real peace in the region. God bless America, our great military and Israel.”
Former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris: “Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war that the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I oppose a regime change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm’s way for the sake of Trump’s chosen war.”
Former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene: “We said, “No more foreign wars, no more regime changes!” We said it stage after stage of demonstration, speech after speech. Trump, Vance, basically the entire government campaigned on it and promised to put America FIRST and make America great again. “My generation has been let down, abused and used by our government our entire adult lives and our children’s generation is literally being abandoned.”
