Congressional Republicans first to react to President Donald Trump‘s decision to attack Iranian nuclear sites were divided over the bombing, with some deeming it unconstitutional while others insist the president made the “right call.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who introduced a bipartisan resolution earlier this week to check Trump’s power as he was weighing a decision to strike Iran, was in the former camp.
“This is not Constitutional,” Massie posted on X.
Another House Republican also appeared wary, telling the Washington Examiner that “I support Israel but there better be a damned good Art II authority for bombing a sovereign nation….”
In the upper chamber, meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who previously voiced support for U.S. military action against the Iranian regime if diplomacy failed, said Trump made the “right call” and that the “regime deserves it.”
“Good. This was the right call. The regime deserves it. Well done, President [Donald Trump]. To my fellow citizens: We have the best Air Force in the world. It makes me so proud. Fly, Fight, Win,” he posted on X.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) also praised the “necessary” and “decisive action” from Trump, saying it has “made America safer, in addition to the Israelis, and the world more broadly.”
“President Trump took decisive action today to assist the Israelis in their efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Only American weapons could do what has been done. This has made America safer, in addition to the Israelis, and the world more broadly. This is not the start of a forever war. There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran. This was a precise, limited strike, which was necessary and by all accounts was very successful. As President Trump has stated, now is the time for peace,” Risch said in a statement.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) was similarly supportive of the attack against the regime, which he said has “rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace.”
“The regime in Iran, which has committed itself to bringing ‘death to America’ and wiping Israel off the map, has rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace. The mullahs’ misguided pursuit of nuclear weapons must be stopped. 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 said in a statement.