Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–New York) is calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump following his decision to launch a large-scale airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Other Democratic lawmakers are also demanding that Congress reassert its constitutional authority over matters of war.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved the largest deployment of B-2 bombers in U.S. history and targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities. The Trump administration has defended the strike as a necessary move to slow Iran’s nuclear weapons development—not an act of war or a step toward regime change.
“This was not an attack on Iran or its people,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Face the Nation. “This was a precision strike to degrade nuclear weaponization sites that pose a global threat.”
Vice President JD Vance echoed the justification, stating, “The president has clear authority to act against weapons of mass destruction. What you saw was leadership that prioritizes American security.”
Republicans in Congress largely supported the decision. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R–Louisiana) praised Trump’s action as decisive and legally sound, writing on social media, “This limited, targeted strike was necessary, and consistent with past actions by presidents of both parties.”
But Democrats were quick to condemn the strike, accusing Trump of bypassing Congress and acting without legal justification.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D–Arizona) criticized the strike as “irrational,” saying, “There was no clear and imminent threat to the homeland that justified such an escalation without congressional input.”
Sen. Tim Kaine (D–Virginia), who last week introduced legislation to limit Trump’s authority to launch attacks on Iran without congressional approval, said the strike clearly constituted “hostilities” under the War Powers Act.
“There’s no question this was an act of war,” Kaine said. “Congress needs to step in and hold the administration accountable before we are dragged into another endless conflict.”
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez went further, declaring that Trump’s unilateral military action warrants impeachment. “By impulsively launching a strike that could lead to war without Congress, Trump has violated his oath of office,” she said in a social media post. “This is an abuse of power that endangers millions.”
The airstrike, which the administration insists was not a precursor to wider conflict, comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. walking a fine line between support for its allies and avoiding direct involvement in another Middle Eastern war.
Congress is expected to receive a closed-door briefing from the Trump administration on the Iran strike and its implications on Tuesday. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from Democrats to rein in the president’s war powers and reassert congressional oversight.
