Trump sees bipartisan blowback over Iran strikes as Republicans and Democrats question its constitutionality

While most Republicans and Pro-Israeli Democrats lauded the US's strikes on Iran, some questioned its constitutionality, emphasising how Trump bypassed the US Congress to conduct the attack read more
Protesters hold a banner with a message and images of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a 'No War on Iran' rally in New York City. Reuters
While most congressional Republicans and pro-Israeli Democrats are lauding US President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities , the White House is also receiving significant blowback over the strikes. The objection centres around the argument of whether Trump's decision to drag America into the Iran-Israel conflict was constitutional.
Soon after the attack, Trump critics pointed out that Trump needed congressional authorisation for such a provocative use of the American military. In light of this, one House Democrat is also pushing for a vote to restrict further unilateral actions. 'We need to immediately return to DC and vote on [Rep. Thomas Massie's and my War Powers Resolution to prevent America from being dragged into another endless Middle East war,' Democratic Representative Ro Khanna from California said in response to Trump's attacks.
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On Saturday evening, the White House announced that the United States had successfully conducted strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan . The US's direct involvement in the conflict came more than a week after strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.
Republicans question the constitutionality
While Democrats condemn US intervention in West Asia, most Republicans lauded Trump's move. However, there were some who called it out as well. Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal Republicans pushing against American intervention in Iran, posted on X that President Trump's bombing of Iranian nuclear sites is unconstitutional.
It is pertinent to note that Massie wanted to introduce a war powers resolution in the House on Tuesday that would prohibit American involvement in Iran. 'This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our constitution,' he posted on X on June 16.
This is not our war.
But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.
I'm introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement.
I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolution. — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 16, 2025
However, there is little appetite among the ruling Republicans, outside of a handful of right-wingers, to be in direct conflict with Trump on the issue. Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) publicly backed the American strikes on Saturday night.
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