U.S. lawmakers had mixed responses to killing of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Qods Force. The split was largely along party lines. Republicans supported the assassination of the general, whom the United States held responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American servicemembers in the region. "The architect and chief engineer for the world’s most active state sponsor of terrorism has been removed from the battlefield at the hand of the United States military," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Democrats warned that Soleimani’s death could escalate U.S.-Iran tensions into open war. "The Trump Administration’s provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Democrats claimed that President Trump did not have congressional authorization to carry out military strikes related to Iran. The following are reactions from U.S. lawmakers.
Speaker of the House, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
“This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran. The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns, and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security.
“The Trump Administration’s provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. This initiation of hostilities was taken without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, without the consultation of the Congress and without the articulation of a clear and legitimate strategy to either the Congress or the public.
“As Speaker of the House, I reiterate my call on the Administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration. The Administration must work with the Congress to advance a bonafide de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence.”
—Jan. 4, 2020, in an official statement
“American leaders’ highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonight’s airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. America – and the world – cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return.
“The Administration has conducted tonight’s strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress.
“The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
“This morning, Iran’s master terrorist is dead. The architect and chief engineer for the world’s most active state sponsor of terrorism has been removed from the battlefield at the hand of the United States military.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in remarks on the Senate floor
Soleimani made it his life’s work to take the Iranian revolutionary call for “death to America” and “death to Israel” and turn them into action. No man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American servicemembers than Qassem Soleimani. https://t.co/L4TgJLevhc
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) January 3, 2020
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY)
“President Obama had an opportunity to take out Soleimani. They didn't. We don’t know the reasons that it had to be done now — they don’t seem very clear.”
“The document they sent us last night is very unsatisfying as to that. Even though I can’t talk about it because the whole thing is classified.”
"I really worry that the actions the president took will get us into what he calls another 'endless war' in the Middle East. He promised we wouldn't have that. And I think we're closer to that now because of his actions."
—Jan. 5, 2020, in an interview on ABC’s “This Week”
House Minority Leader, Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
Last night was a memorable and historic evening at Mar-a-Lago—the Winter White House. Proud of our President for taking decisive action! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VjuChrZyOH
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 3, 2020
Soleimani was a terrorist. President Trump and our brave servicemembers just reminded Iran—and the world—that we will not let attacks against Americans go unpunished.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 3, 2020
🇺🇸
Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY)
“Qasem Soleimani was the mastermind of immense violence, suffering, and instability. He had the blood of Americans on his hands and I won’t grieve his death. But many will consider him a martyr and I’m deeply concerned about the repercussions of tonight’s strike.
“Iran is the world’s most prolific state sponsor of terrorism. The regime in Tehran and its proxies have global reach that they may use to seek retribution for this strike, endangering the lives of Americans around the world. And we are now again on the brink of direct confrontation in the Middle East. Tonight’s action represents a massive escalation in our conflict with Iran with unpredictable consequences.
“Finally, this strike went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress. To push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress’s powers as a coequal branch of government. Even if this strike was in self-defense, no current congressional authorization covered it and the President needs to notify Congress within 48 hours pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. The law requires notification so the President can’t plunge the United States into ill-considered wars. We must also hear without delay from senior officials about this action and their plans to deal with the aftermath.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch (R-ID)
“Congratulations to President Trump on his decisive action and the successful outcome. Qassem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control. As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness. The U.S. will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations.
“On behalf of every American serviceman and servicewoman who has either been killed or injured due to an Iranian-provided IED or rocket in Iraq over the years, today justice was done. Suleimani was responsible for the weapons program that caused those casualties and injuries with the use of those treacherous and cowardly devices.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Soleimani was one of the leaders of Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism. He was actively involved in planning attacks against American military and diplomatic personnel. He has American blood on his hands.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 4, 2020
President @realDonaldTrump took decisive, preemptive action to foil a plot directed at American personnel.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
As to what happens next: It should be clear to Iran that President Trump will not sit idly by if our people and interests are threatened.
We killed the most powerful man in Tehran short of the Ayatollah.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
This was not an act of revenge for what he had done in the past.
This was a preemptive, defensive strike planned to take out the organizer of attacks yet to come.
This action by President Trump and our military was in direct response to Iranian aggression orchestrated by General Soleimani and his proxies.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
Wow - the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically. Major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands. Soleimani was one of the most ruthless and vicious members of the Ayatollah's regime. He had American blood on his hands.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
"When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the country and the region. Today, 17 years later, that fear has unfortunately turned out to be true.
"The United States has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we've spent trillions on this war.
"Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.
"Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one."
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
1. Soleimani wasn’t “assasinated”,he was killed on the battlefield during active operations.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
2. He was in #Iraq in violation of a 2007 UN Security Council travel ban
3. He spent the last few days coordinating imminent attacks against American citizens,allies & interests 1/2
#Soleimani is directly responsible for previous & future plans to KILL U.S diplomats & American service members in #Iraq & throughout the region.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
But some are so blinded by hatred of Trump that they argue he has done something sinister. Its crazy. Total derangement.
#Soleimani is directly responsible for previous & future plans to KILL U.S diplomats & American service members in #Iraq & throughout the region.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
But some are so blinded by hatred of Trump that they argue he has done something sinister. Its crazy. Total derangement.
#Soleimani is directly responsible for previous & future plans to KILL U.S diplomats & American service members in #Iraq & throughout the region.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
But some are so blinded by hatred of Trump that they argue he has done something sinister. Its crazy. Total derangement.
Over a decade before @realDonaldTrump was even President #Soleimani was using IEDs to kill & maim American soldiers in #Iraq
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
So you need to suffer from a special kind of Anti-Trump derangement to argue that @potus is to blame for the violent actions of #Iran’s #IRGC
You don’t have to support @potus withdrawing from the #IranDeal or his “maximum pressure” campaign to support the proposition that planning,conducting,directing or funding attacks aimed at killing Americans merits a swift & decisive response.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
The defensive actions the U.S. has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions
They badly miscalculated
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Good morning.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 6, 2020
The same people cheering on Trump’s reckless, illogical escalation to war with Iran were the ones telling us that democracy would boom across the Middle East as soon as our cake walk invasion of Iraq was done.
They were wrong then. They are wrong now.
Iran is full of malevolent evildoers, and Soleimani was the worst of them. But Iran is also a nation state. And the reason the U.S. doesn't kill leaders of other countries is because once you normalize assassinations, it's hard to put the genie back in the bottle.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 4, 2020
Here’s the thing - even if there was an “imminent attack”, it’s insane to argue that gives the President legal carte blanche to take any and all military actions.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 4, 2020
The action needs to be tailored to stop the imminent harm. There is no evidence this was.
From the beginning, Trump’s approach to Iran has been all tactics, no strategy. They make it up day by day.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
None of it has worked. Iran has restarted their nuclear program. They are more powerful in Syria and Yemen.
It’s all escalation for the sake of escalation.
From the beginning, Trump’s approach to Iran has been all tactics, no strategy. They make it up day by day.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
None of it has worked. Iran has restarted their nuclear program. They are more powerful in Syria and Yemen.
It’s all escalation for the sake of escalation.
From the beginning, Trump’s approach to Iran has been all tactics, no strategy. They make it up day by day.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
None of it has worked. Iran has restarted their nuclear program. They are more powerful in Syria and Yemen.
It’s all escalation for the sake of escalation.
Pompeo just said “Americans in the region are much safer today”.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
That’s obviously not true. We are immediately evacuating all Americans from Iraq.
At this perilous moment, the Administrarion must be truthful about what they did and the consequences.
This isn’t a good start. https://t.co/MLcC6wqXZn
No one can claim to know with certainty what happens next.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
But the neocons thumping their chest tonight should recall that the worst mistakes global powers make are when they strike militarily in complicated places with few friends, with no consideration of the consequences.
The justification for the assasination is to “deter future Iranian attacks”.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
One reason we don’t generally assasinate foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed.
That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight.
Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That’s not a question.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 3, 2020
But Congress didn’t authorize and American people don’t want a war with Iran.
All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk. https://t.co/Z4HTnScFg7
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Trump’s blusterous rhetoric & bravado will throw us headfirst into a real & reckless war. Diplomacy & deescalation is urgently needed—not threatening Iranian cultural sites & alienating our allies.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) January 5, 2020
Trump Admin owes a full explanation of airstrike reports—all the facts—to Congress&the American people. The present authorizations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) January 3, 2020
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 3, 2020
But Congress didn’t authorize and American people don’t want a war with Iran.
All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk. https://t.co/Z4HTnScFg7
Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 3, 2020
But Congress didn’t authorize and American people don’t want a war with Iran.
All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk. https://t.co/Z4HTnScFg7
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist who targeted and murdered American troops. The Iranian government should understand that their acts of aggression and terror against American civilians and servicemembers will have consequences. https://t.co/Hzo1j5zhfM
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 3, 2020
We’ve taken out a top terrorist who has done Iran’s bidding across the world. Soleimani is responsible for hundreds of American lives & the lives of others fighting for freedom in the region. I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump's resolve & think it was an appropriate action. pic.twitter.com/FrQJOii6Hp
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 3, 2020
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
“The question that has to be answered is, what brought us to this moment? What’s the intelligence behind that? And what comes now? I fear that this administration used tactics but has no strategy in the long term. … What we can’t accept is a march to an unauthorized war.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in an interview with MSNBC
Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE)
“This is very simple: General Soleimani is dead because he was an evil bastard who murdered Americans. The President made the brave and right call, and Americans should be proud of our servicemembers who got the job done.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
"The briefing lasted only 75 minutes, whereupon our briefers left. This, however, is not the biggest problem I have with the briefing, which I would add was probably the worst briefing I've seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I've served in the United States Senate."
“What I found so distressing about the briefing is one of the messages we received from the briefers was, ‘Do not debate, do not discuss the issue of the appropriateness of further military intervention against Iran,’ and that if you do ‘You will be emboldening Iran.’ ”
"I find this insulting and demeaning to the Constitution of the United States. It's un-American. It's unconstitutional. And it's wrong. ... They are appearing before a coordinate branch of government responsible for their funding, for their confirmation, for any approval of any military action they might take. They had to leave after 75 minutes while they were in the process of telling us that we need to be good little boys and girls and not debate this in public. I find that to be absolutely insane."
—Jan. 8, 2020, in an interview with Fox News
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)
"I see no way in the world you could logically argue that an authorization to have war with Saddam Hussein has anything to with having war with people currently in Iraq.”
"Let's have the debate, and let's have some senators stand up."
—Jan. 8, 2020, in remarks to reporters
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
“President Trump is bringing our nation to the brink of an illegal war with Iran without any congressional approval as required under the Constitution of the United States. Such a reckless escalation of hostilities is likely a violation of Congress’ war making authority – as well as our basing agreement with Iraq – putting U.S. forces and citizens in danger and very possibly sinking us into another disastrous war in the Middle East that the American people are not asking for and do not support. Congress must step in immediately to reclaim its Constitutional war powers. I urge members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to show courage on this issue, and I urge the Trump administration to change course and pursue diplomacy before we are entangled in yet another war in the Middle East with no end in sight.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX)
“Iran and its terrorist proxies killed an American this week and attacked our embassy, threatening hundreds of Americans. This came after months of escalating Iranian aggression against the United States and our allies in the Middle East.
“Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said today President Trump would take action if he had reason to believe another attack was imminent. The Administration also made clear it will protect our service members and other Americans in the region.
“Qasem Soleimani made his living wreaking havoc on the freedom-loving people of the Middle East. His resume included nurturing the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon; protecting and enabling the tyrant Bashar al-Assad in Syria; and destabilizing Yemen. He supported militias in Iraq that killed over 600 Americans as well as thousands of Iraqis. According to the Pentagon, Soleimani was actively plotting more attacks on Americans. The President acted decisively to protect our country, diplomats, service members and citizens.
“For months, President Trump exercised restraint in the face of repeated hostility. Iran’s aggression continued to escalate. I encourage Iran to finally stand down and discontinue their attacks on Americans.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in an official statement
Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA)
“[Qassem Soleimani] was an enemy of the United States with American blood on his hands. But the question we’ve grappled with for years in Iraq was how to kill more terrorists than we create. That’s an open question tonight as we await Iran’s reaction to Donald Trump’s escalation, which could ignite a regional war, with still no strategy from the Administration.”
—Jan. 2, 2020, in an official statement
Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY)
Qassem Soleimani was an evil and deadly terrorist with the blood of thousands, including hundreds of Americans, on his hands. @realDonaldTrump was right to order decisive action to kill Soleimani to prevent further attacks and defend American lives and interests.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) January 3, 2020
Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI)
“Qassim Soleimani was a brutal Iranian military commander who has killed many Americans and orchestrated countless terrorist attacks. Yet many Iranians and Iran’s hardline leaders will see his killing as a serious provocation that could incite additional attacks against American service members, diplomats and citizens abroad. Iran has already vowed ‘harsh revenge’ against the United States and could further escalate violence. It is important to remember that every foreign policy action we take has potential life-and-death consequences, and we must consider the short and long-term repercussions of such actions.
“I am concerned that the Trump Administration conducted these air strikes killing high-level Iranian military officials without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Congress was also not consulted on this military attack. The existing AUMF was authorized by Congress almost two decades ago to hold those responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. I have long asserted, under President Obama and now President Trump, that the commander-in-chief cannot continue to conduct any military actions they see fit under the existing AUMF.
“The American people are owed a plan by the administration on how the President plans to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this attack from spiraling into greater conflict that could result in more American casualties or troop deployments. The American people do not want war with Iran.”
—Jan. 3, 2020, in an official statement
House Foreign Affairs Committee
This Media Post will serve as a reminder that war powers reside in the Congress under the United States Constitution. And that you should read the War Powers Act. And that you’re not a dictator. https://t.co/VTroMegWv0
— House Foreign Affairs Committee (@HouseForeign) January 5, 2020