Several Democratic members of the U.S. Senate expressed growing alarm over the trajectory of the war with Iran after attending classified briefings conducted by senior officials from President Donald Trump’s administration.
اضافة اعلان
Lawmakers noted that the White House has failed to provide a clear justification for U.S. involvement in the conflict, its long-term objectives, or its expected duration. Following the latest closed-door session on Tuesday, several senators called for public hearings to allow the American people to better understand the scope and strategy of the military campaign.
"I just walked out of a two-hour classified briefing on the war," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told reporters. "This briefing confirmed for me that the strategy is completely incoherent." Murphy added that Congress had not been adequately consulted, asserting that had the administration sought a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), it likely would have been rejected.
Concerns Over Classified Briefings
Since U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran began on February 28, senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have provided multiple classified briefings to Congress.
Due to the sensitivity of these meetings, lawmakers cannot disclose specific details. However, many Democrats expressed frustration, citing a lack of clear answers regarding the war’s timeline or overall "endgame."
Senator Richard Blumenthal described the administration's messaging as "contradictory," stating, "There appears to be no definitive plan. The President says the war is nearly over while simultaneously saying it has just begun." Blumenthal also raised concerns about the potential deployment of U.S. ground troops inside Iran to achieve stated objectives.
Inquiries Into Civilian Casualties
Several Democrats demanded an investigation into a strike targeting a girls' school in the city of Minab, southern Iran. Reports indicate the attack killed at least 170 people, mostly children. Six Democratic senators called for a formal probe amid allegations of U.S. involvement in the strike.
Senator Elizabeth Warren voiced concerns over civilian losses and the financial toll, stating: "The only thing clear is that while there is no money for the 15 million Americans who lost health coverage, $1 billion a day is being spent bombing Iran." She suggested Congress might use its power of the purse to restrict war funding.
Republican Support and Internal Dissent
Despite Democratic criticism, most Republicans support the military campaign. With a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate, Republicans maintain significant control over the legislative agenda.
Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, publicly thanked President Trump, arguing he acted within his constitutional authority to defend the U.S. against an "imminent threat."
However, some Republicans expressed unease. Senator Rand Paul criticized the shifting justifications for the war, stating on social media: "The 'liberating the oppressed' slogan sounds noble, but where does it end? War should be the last resort, not the first." Representative Nancy Mace also warned against a prolonged Middle East conflict, stating she does not want to send South Carolinians into another "forever war."
Constitutional Debate: War Powers
The escalating rift has revived the long-standing debate over the limits of presidential authority. While the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, modern presidents often order military operations citing national security.
Under the War Powers Resolution, a president can deploy troops for up to 60 days without congressional authorization. Legal experts, such as David Schultz from Hamline University, argue that the current actions may violate the Constitution or exceed the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief.
While the Trump administration justifies the February 28 strikes as a response to an "imminent threat," U.S. intelligence agencies previously stated they had no evidence of an impending Iranian attack against U.S. assets.
