House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called on President Donald Trump and his administration to provide justification for recent U.S. military strikes in Iran, questioning their legality under the War Powers Act and the Constitution. Jeffries stated, “We’ve seen no evidence to date that an offensive strike of this nature was justified,” emphasizing that it is the responsibility of the administration to present evidence to Congress and the American public. The strikes, which targeted three of Tehran’s nuclear sites, have sparked significant debate, particularly within the Democratic Party, creating a rift between moderate pro-Israel lawmakers and progressives advocating for impeachment.
Jeffries expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from the Trump administration regarding the military action, insisting that if there is evidence of an imminent threat to the U.S., it should be shared with Congress. He mentioned a briefing request he made for the Group of Eight, which includes congressional leaders and intelligence heads. The Trump administration, however, maintains that their actions were in line with the War Powers Act, which necessitates notifying Congress within 48 hours of military action and limits such operations to 60 days without legislative approval.
The recent airstrikes have intensified divisions among Democrats, with some members supporting Trump’s approach and others, like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling for an impeachment inquiry. A bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions has garnered backing from numerous progressive lawmakers. Jeffries focused on the need for legislative debate over this resolution, emphasizing that the administration should justify its extraordinary actions before Congress.
During a press conference, Jeffries skillfully avoided direct questions about impeachment, reiterating his primary concern—holding the Trump administration accountable for its military decisions. He argued that Congress deserves transparency about any actions that could escalate international tensions. Jeffries outlined a two-part approach: first, demanding that administration officials present their case to Congress, and second, ensuring that the War Powers Resolution is debated on the House floor.
While the discussion around impeachment looms, Jeffries cautioned against rushing into that territory, stating, “this is a dangerous moment that we’re in,” highlighting the necessity of focusing on the immediate need for justification from the Trump administration. His remarks reflect a broader concern among Democrats regarding the implications of unilateral military actions and the need for coherent checks and balances amid potential escalations in conflict.
When approached for a response to Jeffries’ demands, the White House pushed back, asserting that bipartisan communication had taken place before the strikes. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that Jeffries was unreachable before the military actions, portraying Democrats as misleading in their critique and emphasizing the operational success of the strikes as a significant achievement for Trump’s administration. This exchange illustrates the deepening partisan divide over military authority and responsibility in the current political landscape.
