Trump's 'illegal' war in Iran: What Florida and national political leaders are saying.
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“Congress must reconvene immediately to vote on a War Powers Resolution to stop Trump’s illegal and dangerous war.”
—U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost
Donald Trump’s war on Iran — Operation Wag the Dog a.k.a. Operation Epic Distraction a.k.a. Operation What Epstein Files?— has prompted a tsunami of reaction from both Democrats and Republicans in Florida and nationally.
Among Florida Democrats pushing back against the joint U.S.-Israeli attack most firmly were U.S. Senate candidate Alexander Vindman and U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost.
Maxwell Frost:
“Congress must reconvene immediately to vote on a War Powers Resolution to stop Trump’s illegal and dangerous war. We know what comes next: instability, innocent death, our troops risking their lives, and chaos. These regime change wars do not work. We can support the people of Iran without bombing them.”
Alexander Vindman:
“The Iranian regime is evil. For nearly half a century, it has inflicted death and destruction on Americans and our allies. I know that firsthand. ... I also know this: wars without a plan are dangerous. Forever wars drain American strength, put our troops at risk without clear purpose, distract from real strategic priorities, and divert resources we should be investing at home.”
Democratic Gubernatorial candidate David Jolly stopped short of condemning the war and, instead, simply criticized Trump.
David Jolly:
“This President enters war without the broad confidence of the American people and with a cabinet largely unqualified. He lacks the clear support of Congress or our allies, and lacks the unity of the nation he leads. We now pray for the safety of our troops and a swift end to conflict, as we likewise pray for a successful outcome from our operations — a more stable region and world, a reduced nuclear threat, and a fuller embrace of freedom abroad.”
Some Florida Republicans are divided in their reaction, especially the candidates running for their party’s gubernatorial nomination. The contrast was particularly stark between U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by Trump, and hedge fund manager James Fishback.
Byron Donalds:
“President Donald Trump has acted decisively against Iran’s nuclear threat and terrorism. Our troops are now executing Operation Epic Fury. Erika and I pray for their safety and success. Peace is achieved through strength, not weakness. I stand with President Trump, our military, and the hope this leads to lasting security in the Middle East.”
James Fishback:
“Don’t let Washington tell you this is about human rights or our ‘safety and security.’ It isn’t. It’s about Israel, once again dragging us into their wars and expecting us to foot the bill in blood and money. President Trump ran on no new wars. So did George W. Bush. So did Barack Obama. And yet here we are again: another war nobody voted for, started without a single vote in Congress. As governor of Florida, I will never allow the 12,000 men and women of the Florida National Guard to be sent to a foreign war without explicit authorization from Congress.”
Nationally, Democrats are mirroring Frost’s call to reconvene Congress for a vote on a War Powers Resolution.
Wrote Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee: “The American people have seen this playbook before – claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building. We owe it to our service members, and to every American family, to ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past. The president owes the country clear answers: What is the objective? What is the strategy to prevent escalation? And how does this make Americans safer?”
And said Rep. Jim Hines of Connecticut, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee: “Everything I have heard from the Administration before and after these strikes on Iran confirms this is a war of choice with no strategic endgame.”
Added California Gov. Gavin Newsom:
"The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go. But that does not justify the President of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people. President Trump is putting Americans at risk abroad because he is unpopular at home. As this unfolds, California stands with the Iranian-American community in our state, recognizing they have many friends and loved ones who have fought bravely to chart their own future to end decades of state violence and denial of basic rights."
That sentiment was echoed by Sen. Adam Schiff, also of California:
"Trump is drawing our country into yet another foreign war that Americans don’t want and Congress has not authorized. The Iranian regime is a brutal and murderous dictatorship. But that does not give Trump the authority to unilaterally initiate a war of choice. Congress should immediately return to vote on the Kaine Paul Schiff Schumer War Powers Resolution."
To which Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee from Washington, said: This offensive use of military forces against Iran, absent congressional authorization, is contrary to domestic and international law.”
The sentiment enjoys some bipartisan support.
Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are insisting that Congress go on record with a public vote on their own bipartisan measure. "Congress must convene on Monday to vote to stop this," Khanna said.
Added Massie: “This is not America First.”
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez added:
“This war is unlawful. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic.”
The reaction goes on, but I’ll close with this from Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee:
“Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has thrust our nation into a major war with Iran — one he never made a clear case for, never sought congressional authority for, and for which he has no endgame.
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J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press, a Florida online news service dedicated to sharing news and commentary relevant to Florida readers, whether it originates in the Sunshine State or elsewhere. Bruce is an award-winning former newspaper editor, journalist and author living in Florida, his native state.
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You know how you can tell when dump Trump and the Republicans are lying? Their mouths are moving.
So they have taken down a terrible person, fine with me, but who is going to step up? There was no plan, just like in Iraq and Afghanistan. We see how that turned out. Will there be a Civil War to determine the next leader? Or an even worse dictator as supreme leader? Too bad they could not do it without killing 80 children. Netty played trump well.