The all-Democratic Massachusetts federal delegation is demanding that Congress return to session immediately to reassert its authority to declare war, as the United States and Israel attack Iran, which President Trump says is meant to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
The demand comes as Bay State politicians react to the ongoing joint-military action, which Trump confirmed Saturday afternoon has killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising against the leadership that has brutally ruled the nation since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The president released a video announcing the “major combat operations,” telling Iranians that “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
“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 the video, reiterating his stance that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”
A common stance emerged as the Bay State’s all-Democratic 11-member federal delegation sounded off against the Trump administration teaming up with Israel to attack Iran: Congress must convene immediately to vote on the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
The federal law is intended to check the president’s power to commit the country to an armed conflict without congressional consent.
Trump and his supporters argue that the resolution gives the president the authority to conduct short-term military operations, like the one seen in Venezuela in January, to capture dictator Nicolas Maduro.
“Whether it be the operation that clearly failed to take out Iran’s nuclear capability, or the strikes in Venezuela that ousted a foreign leader with no clear military objective, I have consistently called on the President to seek authorization from Congress. The same holds true today,” said Congressman Richard Neal (MA-01).
Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) compared Saturday’s strikes on Iran to the War in Iraq, saying both military campaigns were sparked by fears of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
“The two basic problems with Bush’s War in Iraq were that it was based on a lie and there was no plan for what comes next. It’s hard to argue both are not true today. WMD in Iraq was a lie. ‘Obliterating’ Iran’s nuclear facilities’ was a lie,” said Moulton. “The troops have to be wondering today, ‘What lies are we being told now?’”
Presidents have historically asserted the authority to order limited military operations without prior congressional approval in certain circumstances, including for national security purposes, protecting U.S. citizens abroad or for responding to sudden attacks.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 states that the president should, whenever possible, consult with Congress before introducing U.S. forces into hostilities or situations of imminent conflict. Should the president take such an action, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours.
The Massachusetts federal delegation is also criticizing Trump for the joint-military operation, calling it “unconstitutional” and “dangerous,” while insisting Iran is not the nuclear threat the White House says it is.
“Trump’s illegal actions raise the threat of escalation into a wider regional war with grave risks for U.S. troops and civilians in the region,” Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said. “Trump has consistently exaggerated the imminence of Iran’s nuclear threat, even after insisting the United States ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear program during his illegal Operation Midnight Hammer attack.”
“President Trump is drawing the United States into another foreign conflict, returning American servicemembers to the Middle East once again less than five years after the end of our 20-year War in Afghanistan,” added Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03).
Trump has received support from congressional Republicans, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying in a post to X that Iran is “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.”
“President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans — and even their own people,” Johnson said, adding that the country “defiantly maintained its nuclear program while arming and funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other internationally recognized terrorist organizations.”
The Massachusetts Republican Party issued a statement that it stands “firmly in support of President Trump” in this action.
“The Khamenei regime in Iran not only threatened our greatest ally in the region, Israel, but also has waged war against Americans and the interests of the United States for nearly 50 years,” MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said. “The decisive action by President Trump was taken only after the ayatollahs refused to come to the table to negotiate the country’s nuclear stockpile.”
Gov. Maura Healey issued a statement Saturday via a post on X related to security measures being taken in Massachusetts, assuring coordination with state and federal authorities in monitoring for any threats against the state.
“We’re closely coordinating with state and local public safety officials after recent U.S. military operations in Iran. There are no credible threats to Massachusetts, and keeping our communities safe is always our top priority,” said Healey. “My thoughts and prayers are with our service members in harm’s way, and with the families who bear the weight of their sacrifice every day.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a national address that “growing signs” are indicating Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early Saturday. The U.S. and Iran have not provided any official comment confirming or denying the reports, according to the latest update Saturday afternoon by the Associated Press.
Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had the final say on all major policies, personally commanded the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, and led the country’s clerical establishment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
