Republican Praise for Trump's Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites Draws Democratic Criticism

Republicans have lauded President Trump's strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, while opposition from Democratic lawmakers is growing, arguing that President Trump acted unconstitutionally by bypassing Congress for military authorization. Concerns have been raised about potential Iranian retaliation, risking American interests, facilities, and military personnel in the region, with some viewing the action as a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.

The swift responses from both parties reveal deep divisions regarding whether the U.S. should enter another Middle East conflict and debate over Trump's authority to order strikes without congressional approval.

Leading Republicans expressed their support for the actions, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, stating on "X": "The decisive action by the president prevents the largest state sponsor of terrorism, chanting ‘Death to America,’ from acquiring the world's most lethal weapons. This is ‘America First’ in action." Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, also commented on "X": "Good. This decision was correct. The regime deserved it."

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, called Trump's decision "thoughtful and sound, to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime." Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised the U.S. strike as necessary to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, noting Iran’s refusal of peaceful diplomatic options.

Constitutional Concerns

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, also supported the strikes, deviating from his party's stance, while Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, declared on "X": "This was unconstitutional." Representative Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, stated on "X": "According to the Constitution we swore to defend, my concern here starts before bombs drop. Period." He added that the strikes represent a clear constitutional violation.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont denounced the U.S. strikes on Iran during an election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, calling them "completely unconstitutional." Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Jim Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, criticized Trump for misleading the public and risking entangling the U.S. in a potential Middle East conflict without congressional consent. He stated, "President Trump bears full, comprehensive responsibility for any grave consequences stemming from his unilateral military action."

CNN reported that the U.S. administration briefed top Republicans before the strikes, without notifying Democratic leaders.

Heightened Alert

U.S. bases in the Middle East have been on high alert for potential Iranian retaliation. U.S. officials have taken measures to protect approximately 40,000 American troops in the region, anticipating Iran might retaliate using drones despite diminished capabilities.

Iranian officials acknowledged the attacks on their nuclear sites, threatening the U.S. and Israel extensively. The Revolutionary Guards stated: "The real war has now begun." In the days leading to the U.S. strike on Iran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any U.S. military intervention in its conflict with Israel would "unquestionably result in irreparable damage."

Journalists follow President Trump's speech on the U.S. strikes on Iran shown on a TV screen in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House (AFP)

Iran's Potential Retaliation

Some sources speculate that Iran might target Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, gas platforms, or key ports like Haifa and Ashdod, along with airbases in Nevatim, Hatzor, and Tel Nof, or strategic infrastructure such as power plants and desalination facilities. Direct attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf are deemed unlikely, as such actions could alienate Gulf allies who condemned Israeli aggression against Iran.

Trump Announces Fordow Destruction

In a surprise move, President Trump announced on Saturday evening that the U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites. He declared on "Truth Social" that the U.S. had completed a "highly successful" attack on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites, with American aircraft returning safely, commending the military and asserting the destruction of the facilities was complete. He emphasized the moment as propitious for peace and warned that any retaliatory action by Iran would be met with greater force.

In a brief three-and-a-half-minute address from the East Room of the White House on Saturday evening, surrounded by Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump warned of continued U.S. strikes on Iran if peace was not swiftly achieved. He stated, "Our aim was to dismantle Iran's uranium enrichment capability and halt the threat posed by the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism." He admonished Iran against retaliation, urging peace as the alternative to a far greater disaster.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies gives an overview of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant "FFEP" and the access road (AFP)

Prior to the U.S. strikes, Israel conducted a wave of air raids on Iranian missile sites, deploying 30 fighter jets to destroy military infrastructure in Iran’s southwestern Ahvaz region, known for missile launch platforms and radars. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kean are set to hold a press conference on the strikes, scheduled for 8 a.m. EST Sunday.