Sharp criticism from top Democrats after US attacks in Iran

Leading Democrats have sharply criticized US President Donald Trump's decision to attack targets in Iran . At the same time, they questioned the legality of the military operation.

No president should have the right to lead this country into war on his own and without a clear strategy, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Trump, a Republican , must answer to Congress and the American people. "The danger of a larger, longer, and more destructive war has now dramatically increased," Schumer said.

Democrat Ocasio-Cortez demands consequences

Like Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded that the administration immediately brief Congress. "President Trump has misled the country about his intentions, failed to obtain congressional authorization for military action, and is risking American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," Jeffries stated. The danger of the United States becoming involved in war has "dramatically increased."

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further, saying Trump's actions clearly warranted impeachment. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine argued that the US public overwhelmingly opposes war against Iran and that Trump had demonstrated "terrible judgment."

Schumer also advocated introducing legislation in the Senate that would limit the president's right to order military operations abroad without congressional approval. However, given the Republican majority in the chamber, the proposal has no realistic prospect of success.

Praise from the Republicans

From his Republicans, who currently hold a majority in both chambers of Congress, Trump received plenty of praise and approval for the attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune declared on Saturday (local time): "I stand with President Trump." House Speaker Mike Johnson, also a Republican, said: "The President's decisive action prevents the world's largest state sponsor of terror, who chants 'Death to America,' from obtaining the world's deadliest weapon."

Criticism of Trump from his supporters

But there was also criticism among Trump's Republicans: "This is unconstitutional," said Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, referring to Congress's right to declare war on other countries.

Trump can expect further criticism from his supporters. Many of them are demanding that he adhere to his "America First" policy and stay out of foreign conflicts. Among the most prominent opponents of American involvement in wars are his former senior adviser Steve Bannon and right-wing host Tucker Carlson. Both have publicly spoken out against US interference in the war between Iran and Israel.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican, wrote on the online service X that she was now praying for the safety of US soldiers and citizens in the Middle East and that she hoped the US would not be attacked by "terrorists." Before the attack, she had accused Israel of starting the war against Iran, declaring, "This is not our fight."

pg/fab (dpa, rtr, afp, AP)