While decrying the Iranian regime, Southern California Democrats were also quick to condemn the U.S. involvement in the major attack on Iran overnight, arguing congressional approval is needed to engage in what could be a lengthy and costly war in the Middle East.
“This decision to strike Iran without congressional approval stands in stark contrast to a president who promised to put Americans first and end foreign wars,” U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla said Saturday, Feb. 28.
“The Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, and its state-sponsored terrorism and nuclear ambitions pose significant risks to the safety of Americans and regional stability,” Padilla said. “We must work with our allies to counter those threats. Regardless of what the president may think or say, he does not enjoy a blank check to launch large-scale military operations without a clear strategy, without any transparency or public debate and not without congressional approval.”
Related: US and Israel launch a major attack on Iran. Trump urges Iranians to ‘take over’
Along with Israel, the U.S. launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, with some of the initial strikes appearing to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, although it was not immediately clear if he was in the area at the time. Smoke could be seen rising from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide.
President Donald Trump, in a video message posted to social media, said the military began “major combat operations” to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
“It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer,” said Trump.
Republican congressional representatives praised Trump in the aftermath of the attack.
Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills, said the president “took decisive action in response to refusal by the Iranian regime to take diplomatic off-ramps, dismantle its nuclear program and end its reign of terror against the United States and our allies.”
Notably, Kim also said Congress should be briefed on what’s been dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
“I hope for a swift and decisive operation that will pave the way for a more peaceful Middle East and a safer world,” she said. “My prayers are with our brave U.S. servicemembers risking their lives to protect our nation.”
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, said he was notified after the attack began since he chairs the Defense Appropriations Committee.
“I look forward to continued briefings from our military and civilian national security leaders,” Calvert said. “We will stand together with Israel and our allies in the region as they face retaliation by Iran, and help them shape a more peaceful future for the Middle East.”
Calvert noted former presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, have attempted, without success, to get the Iranian regime “to divert from its violent path.”
“President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury will protect America and our allies by eliminating the Iranian regime’s ability to wage terror and threaten its enemies,” Calvert said. “It will also provide the Iranian people with a historic opportunity to shape their own future free from oppression.”
Democrats struck a more critical tone.
“Over the past few months, my heart has ached for the Iranian people,” said Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine. “For decades, they have suffered under this evil regime, but in recent weeks, the Islamic Republic has brutally attacked, tortured, raped and killed tens of thousands of peaceful Iranians. Many of my constituents have not been able to be in contact with their family and friends in Iran.
“However, as a member of Congress and an American citizen, I cannot stand by quietly while President Trump drags us into a costly and illegal war without even consulting with Congress, let alone receiving a declaration of war or authorization to use military force.”
Trump, Min said, should “immediately present his case for putting our servicemembers in harm’s way to Congress and the American people.”
That was a similar sentiment echoed by Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, who also castigated the Iranian regime but still said Trump needed congressional approval before undertaking such an attack.
“By launching this operation on his own, the president has put Congress and the country in the worst possible position,” Gomez said. “He started a war first, and now Congress is being asked to deal with the consequences instead of deciding whether the war should begin at all.”
“Once troops are in harm’s way, the pressure to escalate grows. That is how conflicts expand, costs rise and American lives are put at risk without a clear plan to end them,” Gomez added.
Should Congress be brought into the decision, Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove, D-Los Angeles, said there would be bipartisan support for a comprehensive plan that supports the Iranian people while also preventing the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That just hasn’t happened, she said.
But Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, said he would oppose a vote that leads to a sustained war in Iran.
“I have no greater responsibility as an elected representative than deciding whether to send service members into harm’s way,” Levin said. “I believe that we can support Iranians’ struggle for democracy without initiating a regional war.”
Find more reactions from lawmakers around Southern California below.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrat: “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.”
Sen. Adam Schiff, Democrat: “There is no doubt that the Iranian regime is responsible for killing thousands of its own citizens and sponsoring acts of terrorism against its neighbors and the United States. The American people stand in solidarity with the Iranian people protesting their own murderous and authoritarian government. However, President Trump had no authority under the Constitution to initiate this war of choice, place the lives of U.S. servicemembers in harm’s way and risk a broader conflict without making the case to the American people and seeking congressional approval.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands: “Iran is a terrorist state, a destabilizing force in the Middle East and continues to violate the human rights of Iranians. However, the Trump administration must immediately brief all members about this military action and explain why they are sending American troops and taxpayer dollars to another war in the Middle East. House Democrats will force a vote on the War Powers resolution offered by Reps. Khanna and Massie to restrict military action in Iran without congressional approval. I will vote for the War Powers resolution in the House and will continue praying for our servicemembers who are in harm’s way.”
Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-San Pedro: “Today is a sad and dangerous day for the men and women of our military and their families, as the president starts another potential war in the Middle East with Iran. Given the severity of the president’s actions, which I believe ignores and tramples on the Constitution, the Speaker should immediately call on Congress to return to Washington to debate and vote on the matter.”
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park: “President Trump has launched an unlawful war with Iran despite no imminent threat to the United States, no long-term strategy, no support from the American public and no authorization from Congress. The House of Representatives must immediately take a vote on … a War Powers resolution that I cosponsor to halt all military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The Iranian regime is brutal, repressive and has denied Iranians freedom and dignity for generations. These facts alone do not give President Trump the authority to unilaterally launch a major, pre-emptive military operation which puts so many lives at risk. Americans have already seen this playbook fail in Iraq and Afghanistan, at enormous cost.”
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach: “The American people deserve lower prices and affordable healthcare, not another war in the Middle East. We can support the people of Iran and their self-determination without this dangerous action that is already costing innocent lives. End this war. We need a War Powers Vote now.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall: “May God bless and protect our brave service members as they carry out their duties and their mission.”
Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio: “Once again, Donald Trump has lied to the American people, broken the law, and risked American lives for a personal vendetta. He repeatedly promised no new wars and criticized past presidents for starting wars without congressional approval, but here he is, doing exactly that. We had an international agreement that prevented Iran from having nuclear weapons, but Trump tore it up. He’s the only reason Iran is able to pursue nuclear weapons. Congress must act immediately to stop Trump from risking American lives.”
Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Whittier: “Just eight months after attacking nuclear sites in Iran and declaring its nuclear program ‘completely and totally obliterated,’ President Trump has dangerously escalated the situation. He has again violated the Constitution by launching additional airstrikes targeting major cities in Iran without congressional approval, further risking another forever war in the Middle East without a clear strategy or credible evidence of an imminent threat. Congress must reject this course. I urge Republicans to join Democrats in defending the Constitution and protecting our troops from this reckless president.”
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside: “President Trump has launched a major military operation in the Middle East without a clear objective and without making the case to Congress or the American people. This reckless action puts American troops at risk and edges us toward a wider regional war. Congress must immediately reconvene and pass an Iran War Powers Resolution to stop this before it spirals further.”
Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona: “Decisions that place American servicemembers in harm’s way require clarity of purpose, defined objectives and a strategy that prioritizes long-term stability and security. The Constitution entrusts Congress with the authority to declare war, ensuring that matters of armed conflict are subject to careful deliberations and democratic accountability. When the House considers a War Powers resolution to reaffirm Congress’ role, I intend to support that effort. It is essential that we proceed thoughtfully, uphold our constitutional framework and avoid actions that could lead to unintended consequences.”
Rep. Derek Tran, D-Orange: “Iran is a terrorist nation-state and is a threat to democracies worldwide. It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States. However, the fact remains that America is not willing to entangle ourselves in another forever war. This administration’s failure to seek diplomatic resolution, combined with its failure to seek Congressional buy-in, is a recipe for catastrophe. Instead of a strategy to prevent Iran’s nuclear proliferation, we are seeing a reckless policy of regime change that threatens to ignite a full-scale war. Congress is not a bystander in matters of war and peace; we are a coequal branch of government with the sole constitutional authority to declare war.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.