A surprise Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites has fractured Democrats on Capitol Hill, ending a brief moment of unity following a dramatic confrontation between Sen. Alex Padilla and security officials at a Los Angeles press event, The Hill reported.
The Democratic Party was momentarily unified Thursday after Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was tackled and detained by security during an immigration protest in Los Angeles. But hours later, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities reignited long-standing divisions among Democrats over Middle East policy, halting efforts to project party solidarity heading into a congressional recess.
While many Democrats condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to launch the strike, others defended it as a necessary preemptive move to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions.
"The October 7 attacks showed that Israel can leave nothing to chance — the threats they face are real, and inaction can cost lives," said Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., a former head of the Congressional Black Caucus. "The strikes that began last night in Iran targeted military leaders and nuclear facilities that posed a clear risk for Israel and for future peace in the region."
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., issued a similar statement: "Iran could have prevented this. They chose this path. Democratic and Republican administrations have all agreed that Iran should never obtain a nuclear weapon, and this will help that bipartisan goal."
But prominent progressives voiced alarm. "Israel's reckless, escalatory strikes on Iran risk igniting a larger regional war, & undermine planned negotiations for a potential new nuclear deal," wrote Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., on X. "Netanyahu must not be allowed to pull America into another forever war. Instead, we must immediately push for negotiated de-escalation."
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also weighed in: "Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence. These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces."
The attack and its political fallout overshadowed the earlier incident involving Padilla, which had galvanized Democrat outrage. Padilla was shoved to the ground and handcuffed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's security detail at a press conference in Los Angeles, where residents have clashed with federal agents over President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown.
Democrats rallied around Padilla. "The Trump administration is a disgrace. Secretary Noem is a disgrace. The manhandling of Sen. Alex Padilla was a complete and total disgrace," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus led a protest march through the Capitol to the offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., demanding accountability.
Still, the foreign policy flashpoint has shifted national focus. Iran responded to the airstrikes Friday with retaliatory missile attacks on Tel Aviv. Iran withdrew from planned nuclear talks with the United States, adding new urgency and divisions to an already tense political climate.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.