Garamendi Statement on Trump's Unilateral Military Action in Iran

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Senior Armed Services Committee Member Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s unilateral military action against Iran:

“President Trump’s unilateral and unauthorized decision to conduct military strikes against Iran demonstrates how he continues to put his own ego above the safety of our country. Without a clear and imminent threat, Trump has now dragged our country into a regional war and unnecessarily put thousands of service members at risk.  

“The Constitution gives Congress the sole power to declare war. Trump’s reckless action, taken without a vote of Congress or an imminent threat to U.S. forces, violates the clear intent of our founders – that Congress, not a king-like executive, should decide when the country goes to war.

“Trump broke his promise to bring peace to the Middle East and to keep the United States out of another war in the region. In fact, he has done the opposite—dramatically increasing the risk of the U.S. being drawn into yet another conflict. He will bear full responsibility for every harmful consequence of this reckless action.

“Trump once warned that President Obama would conduct military strikes due to an ‘inability to negotiate.’ He had it backwards: Obama had a deal—Trump started a war.”

###