‘Unconstitutional,’ ‘horrific,’ ‘tough decision:’ Massachusetts leaders react to Trump’s Iran strike

Delegates throughout Massachusetts spoke out after President Trump’s actions bombing nuclear websites in Iran on Sunday, from calling for checks on presidents’ conflict powers to praising the “tough decision” to set again Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Pentagon officers confirmed “Operation Midnight Hammer” on Sunday, a navy motion wherein over 125 aircrafts mobilized to strike three nuclear websites in Iran. Trump administration officers said Sunday the operation was focused to disrupt the nation’s nuclear capabilities and never a part of a broader conflict plan.

The operation was carried out with out Congressional approval, a transfer which many Democrat lawmakers throughout Massachusetts known as “unconstitutional” and argued violated Congress’s sole accountability to declare conflict.

“No president has the unilateral authority to carry out a direct military action this significant and with such potential consequences without first coming to Congress,” Rep. Stephen Lynch, the Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform rating member. … “Now Congress must immediately reclaim our Constitutional authority and conduct rigorous oversight of President Trump’s decision to carry out this attack.”

Lynch joined Rep. Jim McGovern and others in expressing vocal assist for the “War Powers Resolution” launched in Congress final week by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie. The decision goals to dam “unauthorized hostilities” on Iran with out the consent of Congress.

“Only Congress can declare war — and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war,” mentioned Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “This is a horrific war of choice.”

However different Congressional representatives argued Trump remained inside his “Article 2 authority” throughout the strikes, together with Sen. Lindsey Graham who mentioned “Congress can declare war or cut off funding” throughout a Sunday morning NBC “Meet the Press” interview.

The MassGOP “commended” Trump on the “tough decision to use military force to ensure that Iran will never be capable of carrying out widespread nuclear destruction.”

“It is worth noting that the nuclear capabilities of Iran were allowed to flourish in no small part due to poor deals made under our own former Sen. John Kerry,” mentioned MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale. “May God Bless the United States and Israel in the days ahead, and may peace finally prevail.”

Rep. Lori Trahan thanked the concerned servicemembers for his or her unmatched “professionalism, precision, and bravery.”

“Absolutely no one wants to see the Iranian regime acquire nuclear weapons.” mentioned Trahan. “That shared goal has guided years of bipartisan diplomatic and strategic engagement to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. President Trump’s decision to launch direct military strikes without congressional approval threatens to undermine those efforts and drag the United States into another costly, endless war in the Middle East.”

The motion “flies in the face” of the president’s marketing campaign guarantees concerning de-escalating tensions within the Center East, ending the conflict in Gaza and liberating Hamas hostages, Trahan said.

However each Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned they had been briefed forward of the strikes on Saturday, in keeping with individuals aware of the scenario and granted anonymity to debate it.

Thune mentioned Saturday night that “as we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm’s way.”

Johnson mentioned in a press release that the navy operations “should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says.”

Sens. Warren and Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressely joined in in echoing issues about one other “endless” conflict within the area and the administration’s technique.