Reaction to Trump attack on Iran split mostly along party lines in Congress

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — We’re following reaction to this weekend’s US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites and the response here at home.

As ABC’s Nicole D’Antonio reports, some members of congress said they’re outraged at the US attack on Iran.

This morning, President Trump’s strike on Iran stirred mixed reactions on Capitol Hill.

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona warned the strikes could accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“My big fear is right now is they take this entire program underground, we don’t know, not phallically underground, but under the radar, and we may not know what they are going to do in the future, the may try to race to a nuclear weapon in the future,” said Senator Kelly.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez floated impeachment, claiming the president “has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.”

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky broke ranks with his own party, blasting the Trump administration for not getting congressional approval for the strikes.

“We haven’t been briefed. They should’ve called us all back. Instead of staying on vacation and doing fundraisers, and saying, ‘oh, well, the president’s got this under control, we’re going to cede our constitutional authority,'” said Congressman Massie.

Trump responded calling Massie a “pathetic loser” and vowed to launch a primary challenger against him in his home state of Kentucky.

The administration said the strikes were legal, pointing to the war powers resolution.

“He had all the authority he needs under the Constitution,” said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

“Congress can’t be 535 commanders-in-chief.”

Presidents of both parties have taken similar steps in recent decades:

Obama in Libya
Biden in Syria and Yemen
And now, trump in Iran.

“You know, the president and I have had our differences, but I have to tell you I couldn’t be more proud of president trump’s decisive leadership in this moment,” said former Vice President Mike Pence.

Several resolutions have been introduced in the house and senate aimed to re-assert Congress’ war powers.

But with Republican leadership backing Trump, the measures face slim chances.