Senior Democrat blasts Trump for not seeking congressional authorization for Iran strike

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries speaks at his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill, July 11, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries speaks at his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill, July 11, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasts President Donald Trump for authorizing the strike against Iran, saying he “failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.

“Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm’s way,” Jeffries says in a statement, adding that Trump “misled the country about his intentions.”

“First, the Trump administration bears the heavy burden of explaining to the American people why this military action was undertaken.”

“Second, Congress must be fully and immediately briefed in a classified setting.”

“Third, Donald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action,” Jeffries says.

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