Donald Trump has launched military action against Iran without approval from Congress. The president ordered the U.S. strike around midnight on Friday in collaboration with Israel, saying the goal is to stop Iran’s missiles.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said in a statement after the strike, per NorthJersey.com.
Trump said the attack, which caused loud explosions in the Iranian capital, Tehran, is “a massive and ongoing operation.” According to Trump, the U.S. plans to destroy Iran’s missiles and “annihilate” its navy while also making sure American forces are no longer attacked.
“And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in his statement. “This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces.”
Did Donald Trump get approval from Congress to attack Iran?
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) was among the critics who spoke out against Trump’s actions after the strike on Iran. Massie said on social media that the president is engaging in “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”
Acts of war unauthorized by Congress.
The U.S. is attacking Iran according to AP.https://t.co/Bgwk8yIdRT— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 28, 2026
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) also condemned the attack.
“I lost friends in Iraq to an illegal war. Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn’t been explained or justified to the American people,” Gallego wrote on X. “We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our troops to die.”
I lost friends in Iraq to an illegal war. Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn’t been explained or justified to the American people.
We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our… https://t.co/wEGUCekIZs
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) February 28, 2026
Massie and Ro Khanna (D-California) plan to lead a vote in the House as they aim to stop Trump’s unauthorized acts of war, Politico reported.
How is Iran responding after being attacked by the U.S.?
Iran is already retaliating to the attacks from the U.S. and Israel. According to NBC News, Iran fired missiles at Israel and attacked U.S. bases in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Videos circulating online showed the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain under attack, NBC News reported.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the U.S. attack caused significant damage at an elementary school, causing “deep pain to the hearts of the Iranian nation and all free people of the world.”
“This brutal act is another dark page in the record of countless crimes by aggressors against this land and will never be erased from the historical memory of our nation,” Pezeshkian said in a statement, per NBC News.
What’s next after the U.S. attacks Iran?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s expecting a closed-door briefing with all senators, as well as public hearings. He also said the Senate must “quickly return to session” and decide on a war powers resolution, per Politico.
“The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat,” Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune showed approval for Trump’s actions and said he’s expecting a briefing with all members of the chamber.
“I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said in a statement, per Politico. “I thank Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week, and I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations.”
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