MAGA rebels Thomas Massie and former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have led criticism of Donald Trump’s military operations in Iran, describing the policy as “America Last” and calling for a congressional vote on the strikes.
“We said “No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change!” We said it on rally stage after rally stage, speech after speech,” Greene wrote in a lengthy social media post Saturday.
“There are 93 million people in Iran, let them liberate themselves. But Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. Yeah sure. We have been spoon fed that line for decades and Trump told us all that his bombing this past summer completely wiped it all out. It’s always a lie and it’s always America Last.”
Kentucky Rep. Massie, who has become a thorn in Trump’s side for his bipartisan efforts in forcing the release of the Epstein files, said he would work to ensure a Congressional vote on further conflict in Iran. “I am opposed to this War. This is not “America First’,” he wrote. “When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.”
Congress is not expected to be back in session before Wednesday.
Greene and Massie, who were previously the only two Republican lawmakers to speak out publicly over the Trump administration’s previous action in Iran, echoed sentiments by prominent Democrats including House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.
Jeffries accused Trump of putting U.S. troops in a “dangerous theater of war,” writing: “The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people.
“Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted for its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, support of terrorism and the threat it poses to our allies like Israel and Jordan in the region. However, absent exigent circumstances, the Trump administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war.”
Schumer said he had previously “implored” Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “be straight with Congress and the American people” about the objectives of operations in Iran.
“Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home,” Schumer said, adding “President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy.
Passed in 1973, the War Powers Act requires that the White House brief Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and then must withdraw troops within 60 days unless Congress has declared war or given military authorization. The White House may request an additional 30-day extension.
But as Republicans control the House and Senate, it has become increasingly unlikely. Earlier this year, five Republicans voted with Democrats on a War Powers Act resolution to prohibit Trump from further military action in Venezuela.
But then two of them – Senators. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana – flipped their votes to kill the resolution after Trump publicly attacked them.
Elsewhere Saturday, GOP Senator Rand Paul also lamented the operations, writing: “As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war.”
However, Trump allies backed the president and his message that the strikes against Iran had been necessary.
“Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
“President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans—and even their own people.”
Senator John Thune, Senate majority leader, added: “For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory, and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. service members, citizens in the region, and many of our allies.
“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats.”
At least one Democrat also backed Trump – Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman tweeted: “Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.”
With additional reporting by Eric Garcia
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