Lawmakers Speak Out After Trump Announces Strikes on Iran

Congressional Republicans — and at least one Democrat — immediately praised President Donald Trump after he said Saturday evening that the U.S. military bombed three sites in Iran.

"Well done, President Trump," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., posted on X. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called it a "courageous and correct decision." Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., called the bombings "strong and surgical."

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., posted: "America first, always."

The Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Trump "has made a deliberate — and correct — decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime."

Wicker posted on X, "We now have very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies."

The quick endorsements of stepped-up U.S. involvement in Iran came after Trump had publicly mulled the strikes for days and many congressional Republicans had cautiously said they thought he would make the right decision.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Saturday evening, "As we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm's way."

Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., were briefed ahead of the strikes on Saturday, according to people familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Johnson said in a statement that the military operations "should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says."

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., said he had also been in touch with the White House and "I am grateful to the U.S. servicemembers who carried out these precise and successful strikes."

Breaking from many of his Democrat colleagues, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, an outspoken supporter of Israel, also praised the attacks on Iran. "As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS," he posted. "Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities."

Both parties have seen splits in recent days over the prospect of striking Iran. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican and a longtime opponent of U.S. involvement in foreign wars, posted on X after Trump announced the attacks, "This is not Constitutional."

Many Democrats have maintained that Congress should have a say. The Senate was scheduled to vote as soon as this week on a resolution by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., requiring congressional approval before the U.S. declared war on Iran or took specific military action.

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, posted on X after Trump's announcement: "According to the Constitution we are both sworn to defend, my attention to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full stop."