The United States attacked Iran Saturday evening, with President Donald Trump announcing that American warplanes dropped bombs on three nuclear sites in Iran.
The U.S. has now officially entered the war more than a week after Israel’s initial attack.
In response to the bombing, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a post on X that her top priority is the safety and security of the people of Michigan, and said she has called for a briefing with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan State Police.
The attack drew mixed reactions from top political leaders in Michigan on social media, with responses mostly split along party lines. Republicans praised Trump’s actions, while Democrats criticized the president’s decision to take this action without congressional approval.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said Trump’s decision to take military action without congressional approval means “the consequences rest squarely on his shoulders.”
“The administration must engage Congress on a bipartisan basis on potential next steps — beginning with a briefing on this strike, its impact on destroying Iran’s nuclear program, what new threats it creates that we must counter, and the president’s plan to keep our servicemembers and homeland safe,” he said in a Facebook post.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, called Trump’s decision unconstitutional and said it escalates the risk of war on a post on Instagram.
“It’s critical we keep American troops and civilians safe and prevent the U.S. from becoming entangled in another endless war in the Middle East,” Dingell said.
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, said in a post on X that the president must not take further action without authorization from Congress.
“The best outcome now is a swift, diplomatic resolution that results in a complete dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program once and for all,” Thanedar said.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, called on Congress to use its war powers and “stop this unconstitutional act of war,” in a post on X.
Republican leaders, meanwhile, generally praised Trump’s actions, calling the strike precise and successful. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, said in a post on Facebook that “by leveraging the unmatched precision of the U.S. military, the president has sent a clear message to the world about what peace through strength truly means.”
“This was not a knee-jerk response, and knowing President Trump, he has no interest in dragging America into another endless war,” Bergman said.
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, said in a Facebook post that “today’s successful mission destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, protected American lives, and will make the world safer. Now, it’s time for peace.”
Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Republican lawmakers praise Iran strike, while Democrats call it unconstitutional
Reporting by Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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