House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has sharply criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of misleading the nation and endangering American lives by launching unauthorized military strikes on Iran.
In a strongly worded statement, Jeffries condemned the president’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites without seeking Congressional approval, warning that the United States now faces the risk of being pulled into a prolonged and dangerous war in the Middle East.
“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force, and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries said.
“Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise—full stop. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops who have been put in harm’s way.”
Trump announced the strikes over the weekend, claiming the U.S. had successfully hit three key nuclear facilities in Iran—at Fordow, Natanz, and near the ancient city of Isfahan—as part of a coordinated move with Israel.
The move has sparked outrage among many Democrats, who argue that the strikes violated the U.S. Constitution, which requires Congressional approval unless there is an immediate threat to national security.
Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said intelligence briefings offered no indication of an imminent threat from Iran.
“That makes this attack illegal,” Murphy stated.
While former President Joe Biden also conducted military operations without prior Congressional approval—such as airstrikes in Syria in 2021 and 2023 in response to militia attacks—critics argue Trump’s actions were far broader in scale and consequence.
The latest strikes targeted major uranium enrichment sites, a significant escalation in the simmering conflict between Iran and Israel. Many now fear Tehran could retaliate by targeting American troops and bases in the region.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further, calling the strikes grounds for impeachment.
“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” she said. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.”
Representative Sean Casten of Illinois echoed her concerns, labeling the actions an “unambiguous impeachable offense.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stopped short of calling for impeachment but urged lawmakers to pass legislation reinforcing Congressional authority over war powers.
“No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy,” Schumer said.
Trump defended the strikes in a national address, saying the objective was to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities and pressure its leadership to return to negotiations.
“The destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror was the mission—and it was a resounding success,” Trump said.
“If they do not return to the negotiating table, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
The strikes have also deepened divisions within Trump’s political base. Supporters of aggressive foreign policy, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Fox News host Mark Levin, praised the action, while isolationist voices like Steve Bannon and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene warned of dangerous entanglements abroad.
As tensions in the region escalate, all eyes are now on how Iran—and Congress—will respond.
