US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked when congress was informed that President Trump had taken executive action to launch an offensive on Iran
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed to journalists that Congress was not informed about Saturday’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities until after they had taken place.
In a press briefing on Sunday morning, the former Fox News pundit turned Trump ally responded to reporters’ queries about the surprising move. When one journalist asked the 45-year-old when Congress was notified that the president had taken executive action, he answered, “They were notified after the planes were safely out.”
After a brief pause, he added, “Uh, we complied with the notification requirements of the War Powers Act.” Then, a moment later, he stated: “They were. ..immediately thereafter”
Several politicians from both parties have criticised Trump’s action, accusing the president of acting unconstitutionally. Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and vocal opponent of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, reacted on X just minutes after Trump announced the offensive, stating, “This is not Constitutional.”
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Massie has been a key figure behind a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at preventing American military engagement in the ongoing Middle East tensions, reports the Mirror US.
Others were more restrained in their criticism while still expressing concern about executive overreach, with Republican Warren Davidson, a congressman for Ohio tweeting: “While President Trump’s decision may prove just, it’s hard to conceive a rationale that’s Constitutional.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump supporter, has openly criticised the President for siding with Israel in its conflict against Iran.
On social media, she fumed: “Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war.”
She also pointed out the cause and effect of the hostilities: “There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first.”
The political sphere was caught off guard by Trump’s sudden move, especially since he had previously declared that he would take “two weeks” to decide on US involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Trump had earlier indicated a period of contemplation, saying, “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks,” as read by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt last Thursday.
In a surprising admission, Trump acknowledged his collaboration with Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in orchestrating the strikes, expressing gratitude towards Netanyahu for his backing.
Netanyahu reciprocated the sentiment on Fox News, stating, “Tonight, President Trump and the US acted with a lot of strength. President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you.”
According to the Iranian state-affiliated news agency, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard issued a stern response: “Today’s act of aggression by the terrorist American regime has granted the Islamic Republic of Iran the legitimate right to act in self-defense, including through options that go beyond the delusional calculations of the aggressor coalition.”
The comments were somewhat enigmatic regarding the specific ‘options’, but the menace was unmistakable. With an air of defiance, they continued: “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is well-versed in the realities of this full-scale hybrid war and will never be intimidated by the noise of Trump or the criminal gangs ruling Washington and Tel Aviv.”