Indiana Republicans praised President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran, saying the operation is necessary to protect the United States and keep Iran from developing its nuclear capabilities.
U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, who represents parts of north-central Indiana, said on X that Trump took a “bold and decisive step” to create peace in the Middle East. U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, who represents Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas, said Trump’s decision to strike Iran was a “hard and necessary” choice to end Iran’s “evil regime.” Attorney General Todd Rokita said the operation is a “critical mission to protect America and prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.” U.S. Sen. Jim Banks said Trump’s red line “isn’t a warning—it’s a promise.”
“The Iranian regime has spent decades fueling terror, funding proxy militias, and threatening American interests. President Trump understands that peace comes through strength,” U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, whose district covers southeastern Indiana, said on X. “He has rebuilt our military, applied economic pressure, and exhausted diplomacy before acting.”
The chorus of praises came hours after Trump announced on Feb. 28 that the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” against Iran.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said in an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social after the attacks began, calling the strikes “a massive and ongoing operation. The president, who campaigned on a promise to end wars, also acknowledged that American lives may be lost.
The strikes, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” targeted the country’s missile capabilities. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was also directly targeted and killed, an Israeli source told USA TODAY. Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against American and Israeli targets, hitting a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, USA TODAY reported. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”
Critics have condemned the operation and warned against a prolonged American involvement in the Middle East. The strikes, which followed weeks of speculation over whether the president would move forward, were carried out without congressional approval.
U.S. Rep Andre Carson, whose district includes Indianapolis, called Trump’s actions, “reckless and illegal.” Carson is one of several congressional Democrats to push for a vote on a resolution to force the administration to seek congressional approval before any further actions in Iran.
“President Trump continues to put our troops and civilians in danger,” Carson wrote on X. “… The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage standing up for their rights over and over again. We need to meaningfully strengthen democracy without another open-ended war.”
Pete Buttigieg, former South Bend mayor who served as transportation secretary under President Joe Biden, called the military strikes a “war of choice” that repeat the mistakes of the past and don’t help the average American.
“This nation learned the hard way that an unnecessary war, with no plan for what comes next, can lead to years of chaos and put America in still greater danger,” Buttigieg said.
Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young tried to strike a balance, justifying the administration’s actions in Iran while also acknowledging concerns over American involvement and urging transparency moving forward.
“No one wants more conflict in the Middle East, but Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” Young said in a statement. “I look forward to Congress being fully briefed on the operation and included in discussion about any next steps. The American people will have questions pertaining to the nature of threats, risks to our troops and homeland, and objectives sought. Their questions must be answered.”
USA TODAY contributed to this story. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ind. Republicans praise Trump action in Iran; Dems warn of prolonged war
Reporting by Kristine Phillips, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
