Illinois, Indiana lawmakers respond to Trump announcing U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
Reactions continue to pour in from Illinois and Indiana lawmakers following President Trump's announcement that the U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Democrats condemned the president for attacking Iran without seeking congressional authorization, while Republicans supported the strikes.
President Trump announced Saturday night that the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan were a "spectacular military success," and warned of "far greater" attacks if Iran does not "make peace."
Democratic Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly said in a post on X that, "President Trump's decision to bomb Iran will not lead to peace but rather cause more violence, destruction, and conflict in the Middle East."
"Iran can never be allowed nuclear weapons, but it was President Trump's decision to break the Iran Nuclear Deal that allowed Iran to speed up their enrichment program, making us and our allies less safe. Instead of using diplomacy to lower temperatures, President Trump has escalated the situation, which will further destabilize the region and cause repercussions here at home and across the globe," Kelly wrote.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) released this statement Sunday: "During his first term, President Trump killed the Iran nuclear deal, which required mandatory inspections, and invited this dangerous situation. Iran without inspectors appears to have been developing dangerous weapons grade materials.
"And now, President Trump's actions in bombing Iran puts the U.S. on the brink of a wider war in the Middle East, all without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval. Our recent experiences in Iraq should be a stark reminder of becoming embroiled in wars in the Middle East."
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth also accused the president of illegally bombing Iran, and "putting American troops and citizens at risk of retaliation and threatening to draw us into yet another Middle East war without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval."
"I have long said Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. But this goal could and should have been pursued through diplomatic means first," Duckworth said in a statement. "In this dangerous moment, my top priority is—and the Trump Administration's top priority should be—ensuring the safety and security of American troops, personnel, diplomats and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners and allies. But the Trump Administration must immediately come before Congress not only to provide our troops with the confidence that their Commander in Chief is upholding the Constitution that they swore to support and defend, but also because it is my Constitutional responsibility to make sure he's not getting us into yet another quagmire in the Middle East."
Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten called the president's decision to attack Iranian nuclear sites without approval of Congress an "unambiguous impeachable offense."
"This is not about the merits of Iran's nuclear program. No president has the authority to bomb another country that does not pose an imminent threat to the US without the approval of Congress," Casten wrote in a post on X.
Democratic Rep. Chuy Garcia said, "Trump is trying to drag us into an illegal war with Iran– no debate, no Congressional vote."
"He's not leading– he's submitting to Netanyahu's request. There is no military solution to nuclear deterrence," Garcia wrote on X.
Republican Illinois Congressman Mike Bost defended the president's actions in a post on X.
"I trust that President Trump made the decision to target Iran's nuclear program tonight due to intelligence that indicates the regime was within reach of developing nuclear weapons that could threaten the lives of American citizens and U.S. troops stationed across the globe. He showed the strength to ensure that never happens," Bost wrote.
Fellow GOP Rep. Mary Miller called the strikes "A great victory for the United States!"
"President Trump understands that PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH keeps America, and the world, safe and secure," she wrote on X.
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin wrote the attack puts the "U.S. on the brink of a wider war in the Middle East."
"During his first term, President Trump killed the Iran nuclear deal, which required mandatory inspections, and invited this dangerous situation. Iran, without inspectors, appears to have been developing dangerous weapons-grade materials. And now, President Trump's actions in bombing Iran puts the U.S. on the brink of a wider war in the Middle East, all without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval. Our recent experiences in Iraq should be a stark reminder of becoming embroiled in wars in the Middle East."
Indiana Congressman Frank J. Mrvan responded to the strike, saying:
"Let me be clear, no one believes Iran should be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. However, the decision to conduct military action and send our brave servicemembers into harm's way must only be made after deliberate and careful consideration, in close consultation with Congress and a coalition of our allies. I do not believe that the Administration's decision has met that standard in this instance. Our priority now must be to re-engage with our allies and Israel to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, and prevent our nation from being drawn into another prolonged military conflict in the region. The Administration must also fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities to communicate with Congress on this situation and to do so without delay."
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, echoed a statement by the group calling the strikes on Iran "an illegal and unjustified act of war."
"It's not Congress that calls the shots on how, when and where our military should be used. It's not even the President of the United States. It's not Donald Trump. It's a foreign leader of a foreign government, and that's Netanyahu. As an American, that is both embarrassing and scary to me — and I think most Americans would agree."
Iran has pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joins Israel's recent attacks against its nuclear facilities, which began with airstrikes on June 13. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.
