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Day 1866: “A noble mission.”
Today in one sentence: The U.S. and Israel launched “massive and ongoing” “major combat operations” in Iran; and Democrats said they’ll try to force votes on War Powers resolutions to limit Trump’s authority to continue U.S. military action against Iran.
1/ The U.S. and Israel launched “massive and ongoing” “major combat operations” in Iran. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was necessary to end an “existential threat” and to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon. Trump said the U.S. would “destroy their missiles,” “raze their missile industry,” and “annihilate their navy,” and officials said the campaign could last several days. Trump added: “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” saying Iran had “attempted to rebuild” its nuclear program despite last June’s “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which he claimed had “obliterated the regime’s nuclear program.” Nevertheless, Trump said Iran was developing “long range missiles” that could threaten U.S. allies in Europe and “could soon reach the American homeland.” Trump warned that “the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties,” adding “That often happens in war,” but “we’re doing this not for now […] for the future.” He called it “a noble mission.” Trump, who has claimed to have ended eight wars, said “No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight,” urging Iranians to “take over your government” because “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.” Iran, saying it would respond “by all means necessary,” retaliated with missile and drone attacks at Israel and at U.S. bases and allies across the Gulf, prompting shelter-in-place alerts at U.S. embassies and air defense interceptions in multiple countries. (New York Times / Washington Post / Politico / Bloomberg / ABC News / Associated Press / Wall Street Journal / Axios / CNBC)
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2/ Democrats said they’ll try to force votes on War Powers resolutions to limit Trump’s authority to continue U.S. military action against Iran. Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul, called the strikes “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.” Passage, however, looks uncertain in the Republican-controlled House and Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Tim Kaine said the administration hadn’t provided Congress or the public “critical details” on the scope or immediacy of any threat, and they demanded an all-member classified briefing and public testimony, arguing Trump struck without authorization. Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson, defended the operation as justified and that lawmakers would be briefed. (ABC News / Bloomberg / Politico)