Oregon Lawmakers Accuse Trump of Violating the Constitution After Confirming Deadly Strikes on Iran

President Donald Trump’s Saturday announcement that the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran drew the ire of Democratic lawmakers in Oregon who say Trump acted without congressional authorization and risks drawingAmericans into a wider war in the Middle East.

Trump Confirms U.S.-Israel Strikes On Iran & Death Of  Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

During the holy fasting month of Ramadan, smoke rising from the capital of Iran, Tehran, was the first sign confirming reports by Iranian media that the city was under attack.

Some of the first strikes appeared to hit near the offices of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was subsequently confirmed by Israeli officials that the Ayatollah was killed in the major attack.

Trump later confirmed his death in a social media post: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.

This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

The strikes are the Trump Administration’s second attack in eight months on Iran during talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

The military said targets in Iran during the latest attacks included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields, as well as members of Iran’s leadership.

The Red Crescent estimated that at least 201 people had been killed and more than 700 injured on Saturday, according to Iranian State media.

At least 85 people were reported killed in southern Iran when a girls’ school was struck, leaving dozens more wounded. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote to the U.N. Security Council that “all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives.”

Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. The U.S. military reported no American casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks” 12 hours after the attacks.

Oregon Democratic Leaders Respond To US-Israeli Attack On Iran

Many democrats have criticized the Iranian attack, including:

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Trump is “unilaterally dragging us into another costly and deadly war in the Middle East that the American people don’t want. Trump and Hegseth are putting American lives on the line to make themselves feel powerful, while our military families pay the real price.”

In a social media post, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. wrote, “The power to declare war belongs to Congress, not the President. These strikes on Iran are unconstitutional and risk dragging us into another endless war. Congress must vote on the War Powers Resolution immediately. No war with Iran!” Merkley later said that Trump “acknowledges he has launched a war. This shreds our Constitution, which assigns decisions of war to Congress. Congress must vote on a War Powers Resolution immediately. No war with Iran!”

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore. called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately bring Congress back into session to consider H.Con.Res. 38, a bipartisan War Powers Resolution introduced by Representatives Massie and Khanna, directs the president to terminate the use of force against Iran unless authorized by a formal declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force by Congress. She said, “Donald Trump promised to end wars, not start them,” arguing that the power to declare war is with Congress.

U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore.: “In a clear violation of his Constitutional authority, the President took our country one step closer to war in the Middle East, endangering the lives of our service members and reportedly bombing a girls’ elementary school in the process. That’s wrong and illegal.” She also said, Congress “must vote on a War Powers resolution immediately to restrict military action in Iran without Congressional approval.” Bynum said she is praying for the safety of our service members and allies who are being targeted by Iran in retaliation.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (@RepBentz): “I’m looking forward to the briefing. Until then, I really have no comment, because I don’t know the facts.”

Oregon State Sen. Christine Drazan (@ChristineDrazan): “Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. I’m thankful for our brave servicemen and women whose successful mission protected so many.” “Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran is unauthorized and unconstitutional. Any future involvement needs to be debated and approved by Congress, especially if it involves our service members… However, we cannot allow any president to involve us in another open-ended war without constitutional authority.”

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (@RepSalinas): “There has been no clear objective made to the American people for this military action. There is no clear alliance to help us achieve any objective. And there has been no clear communication of an exit strategy.” “The Iranian people deserve to direct their own destiny, but these facts are not enough to justify military action… We cannot allow the President to drag the United States into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (@ValHoyle): “For too long, presidents of both parties have dragged our country into endless foreign wars. It is our children who fill the boots on the ground, and our taxpayer dollars that pay the bill.” “Under the Constitution, the power to declare war rests exclusively with Congress. Congress must vote on the War Powers Act.”

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter (@RepDexterOR): “The American people must also be LOUD in their opposition. The public wants peace, not more chaos abroad.”