American Democrats and leftists in general were already divided and uncertain over who to support in the various Middle East conflicts. But when he ordered the bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran, President Trump kicked a proverbial hornets’ nest of progressive outrage – and confusion. Reactions from the left range from wholehearted support to calls for impeachment and accusations of war crimes – and not everyone seems to hold the same position they did just days ago.
Israel vs Iran – Democrats ‘All Over the Map’
Well before the fighting broke out between Israel and Iran, everyone seemed to have an opinion on the “situation” in the Middle East. And, while neither major political party – nor the American population as a whole – is a monolith, one could guess with some degree of accuracy a person’s political affiliation by their position on the issue. Stand with Israel? You’re probably a Republican, or at least something of a conservative. Support Palestine (or even Hamas)? There’s a good chance you voted for Kamala Harris and call yourself progressive.
But one thing that long united most lawmakers and voters regardless of party affiliation was a general dislike for and distrust of the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, Iran. If there’s one statement that most Americans across the political spectrum can agree on, it’s that Iran’s support of terrorism is bad, and that the rogue state achieving nuclear capability would be even worse.
But what happens when two groups you hate go to war against each other? Worse, what happens when your presidential nemesis then takes a side? Ideological chaos, apparently. The cognitive dissonance must be excruciating.
Some prominent Democrats, like outspoken Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), expressed outrage at President Trump’s decision, demanding impeachment. Others, like Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Ritchie Torres, and Jared Moskowitz (all Democrats from New Jersey), said the world is a safer place after Operation Midnight Hammer, even if they also felt Congress should have approve the strikes first.
“It’s all over the map,” Democratic Party strategist Brad Bannon told New York Post. “It’s never a good thing when messaging is all over the map. Democrats have to find a way to unite against Trump’s provocations. The implications are mind-numbing.”
Changing Chuck and More Fetterman Fallout
Some Democratic lawmakers shifted their stance as soon as Trump took action. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was one of the loudest and first congressional voices to denounce the president’s decision to bomb Iran. “No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy,” Schumer said. He and others in his party want an immediate vote on a resolution under the War Powers Act to restrain the commander-in-chief.
But it wasn’t that long ago that Schumer was critical of Trump’s calls for diplomacy, suggesting he was taking a much softer approach to Iran’s enrichment of uranium. “If TACO Trump is already folding on Iran, the American people need to know about it,” the New York lawmaker said on X on June 2. “No side deals.” TACO is short for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” though now it’s quite clear he did not, in fact, chicken out, and it seems Schumer doesn’t quite know what to do with the fact that his political archenemy has seemingly taken his advice.
One Senate Democrat who hasn’t changed his stance, however, is John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Recall how quickly he condemned Hamas for the October 7, 2023, raid into Israel to capture civilian hostages and how he continued to support Israel in that matter even when so many in his party lambasted the Israeli efforts.
“As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move,” Sen. Fetterman declared on social media shortly after Trump’s Saturday night announcement. “Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”
No doubt he’ll take flak from his more progressive colleagues. But one is once again reminded of his support for Israel against Hamas, flying the Israeli flag from his roof and giving enraged protesters the finger.
Does This Mean War?
As for claims that Trump left Congress in the dark, thus falling short of his War Powers Act responsibility to consult with them, the administration calls them “fake news.” After numerous media outlets claimed top Republicans were consulted but Democrats weren’t, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X: “The White House made bipartisan courtesy calls to Congressional leadership and spoke to @senSchumer before the strike. @RepJeffries could not be reached until after, but he was briefed. Please retract.”
The War Powers Act requires a president alert Congress before launching hostilities (which the administration claims was done) and report to the legislature at least once every six months after the fact until hostile action ends. It also allows lawmakers to pass a resolution commanding the president to cease hostilities and withdraw American military assets, but with most of the GOP and even some Democrats supporting the strike on Iran, it's highly unlikely such a resolution would pass.
In any case, the ball is in Iran’s court now, and what will be, will be. President Trump warned that any retaliation would result in far worse than the late-night bombing raid. On the other hand, he also promised that no further attacks are coming if Iran chooses negotiation instead. Schumer’s call for a War Powers Act resolution, then, seems moot.
