ISTANBUL
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum in the US are voicing concern over the potential for Washington's involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, while others show willingness for the US to enter the conflict.
The growing coalition against involvement brings together unlikely allies – ranging from staunch Trump supporters to progressive Democrats – who share a deep skepticism of US military involvement abroad, especially without congressional authorization, shaped by the legacy of the controversial Afghanistan and Iraq wars, NBC News reported on Tuesday.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a socialist independent, hit back amid reports that President Donald Trump might get the US involved in the conflict, charging that doing so would violate the Constitution.
“The Constitution of the United States is very clear. There is no ambiguity,” he wrote on X. “It is Congress that determines whether we go to war, not the President. Trump must not take illegal military action against Iran.”
Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian Republican from Kentucky known for opposing Trump on fiscal matters, is joining forces with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California to push for a war powers resolution.
Their goal is to require the administration to obtain congressional approval before engaging significantly in the conflict.
“This is not our war,” Massie wrote on X, adding: "Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution."
‘Not falling for it again’
His announcement prompted a wave of support from progressive Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan – both members of the high-profile “Squad" – who pledged to back the legislation.
"The American people aren't falling for it again. We were lied to about 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq that killed millions + forever changed lives," Tlaib said on X.
Trump going to war without a vote in Congress would be "unconstitutional," she added.
Massie and Khanna co-sponsored a similar resolution during Trump's first term aimed at curbing US involvement in the Yemen war. Though the resolution passed both the House and Senate, Trump chose not to sign it – but eventually stepped back from pushing for direct US military engagement.
Khanna suggested in an interview that this issue could fracture the president's base.
“This is core to many in the MAGA base. It’s different,” she said, referring to Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” slogan.
“It has a different intensity than even the people who care about the deficits and are concerned about Trump’s move there, or people who don’t like his tariff policy," he added.
MAGA dissenters
The growing concern within the MAGA movement is evident in the warnings from prominent figures like commentator Tucker Carlson and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who have urged Trump to steer clear of getting the US involved in what they fear could become another endless war.
In response, Trump dismissed Carlson as “kooky,” prompting Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia – one of the president's staunchest allies in Congress – to quickly come his defense.
Calling Carlson one of her "favorite" people, Green said on X: "foreign wars/intervention/regime change put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction."
Arguing that Trump's political ascent was built on his America First, anti-interventionist platform, Khanna added: “I feel like the entire MAGA movement started as a rejection of the (President George W.) Bush and neocon war in Iraq.
"That was a central part of their identity."
Khanna and Massie intend to introduce the measure as a privileged resolution, which would require a full House vote within days.
Since it falls under the War Powers Act, House Speaker Mike Johnson – a Trump ally – may have the authority to revoke its privileged status. Johnson’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the resolution.
Carlson, Senator Cruz clash in heated exchange
The conflict between conservatives over possible US involvement in the conflict came to the surface in a fiery clash between Carlson and Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday.
During an interview on his web show, Carlson grilled Cruz over Iran's demographics and ethnic composition, questioning the senator's knowledge about a nation he has vocally opposed.
“How many people live in Iran, by the way?” Carlson asked. When Cruz admitted he didn’t know, Carlson responded, “You don’t know the population in the country (whose government) you seek to topple?”
Cruz replied: “I don’t sit around memorizing population tables.”
Carlson, citing Iran's population of 92 million, continued, arguing the numbers were “kind of relevant because you’re calling for the overthrow of the government.”
“Why is it relevant if it's 90 million, or 80 million, or 100 million – why is that relevant?” Cruz asked.
Carlson then asked about Iran’s ethnic composition. When Cruz said that it’s a majority Persian, predominantly Shia country, Carlson interrupted: “What percent?”
As the exchange grew more tense, the two spoke over each other. “You don’t know anything about Iran,” Carlson said.
“I’m not the Tucker Carlson expert on Iran,” Cruz snapped.
“You’re a senator who’s calling for the overthrow of a government, and you don’t know anything about the country,” Carlson said.
“No, you don’t know anything about the country,” Cruz responded. “You’re the one who claims they’re not trying to murder Donald Trump.”
“No, I’m not saying that,” Carlson shot back.
“You’re the one who can’t figure out if it was a good idea to kill General (Qasem) Soleimani, and you said it was bad,” Cruz said referring to the 2020 US assassination of a top Iranian general.
Carlson pushed back, saying: “You don’t believe they’re trying to murder Trump.”
“Yes, I do,” Cruz responded.
“Because you’re not calling for military strikes against them in retaliation,” Carlson said.
When Cruz retorted, “We are carrying out military strikes today,” Carlson replied, “You said Israel was.”
“Right, with our help. I said ‘we.’ Israel is leading them, but we’re supporting them,” said Cruz.
