This story has been updated with new information.
The United States and Israel on Feb. 28 launched military strikes and “major combat operations” against Iran, President Donald Trump said, targeting the country’s missile capabilities.
“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, calling the strikes “a massive and ongoing operation.”
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official familiar with the matter told USA TODAY. Khamenei’s fate was unknown.
Michigan politicians were quick to respond to the attacks Saturday morning, here’s what they said.
Sen. Gary Peters, Democrat
“The President just acknowledged he is risking American lives by dragging us into another ‘war’ in the Middle East, without Congress’ approval. Our Constitution requires this check for a reason. The American people don’t want to send their sons and daughters to another unjustified forever war across the world,” Peters said on X.
“Iran is a bad actor and we must ensure they never produce nuclear weapons. We had a diplomatic agreement with Iran on nuclear proliferation and President Trump withdrew during his first term without a plan for what comes next because he was playing petty politics. Now, he’s sending American servicemembers back to the Middle East to attempt to fix the problems he created.
“The Administration must immediately brief Congress on these strikes and its next steps, end goal, and strategy to ensure this protects, not weakens, our homeland security.”
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Democrat
“Americans woke up this morning to news that the U.S. and Israel have started major military action against Iran,” Slotkin said on X. “Unlike the U.S. strike on Iran back in June, this operation doesn’t appear to be a one-and-done, so we’re thinking about the safety of our servicemembers and their families.
“Likewise, many Michiganders have family in the Middle East who are at risk right now as Iran is striking a number of countries. We pray for their safety as well. As a former CIA officer who served three tours in Iraq, I have no love lost for the Iranian government. They’re a state sponsor of terror, responsible for the deaths of Americans. I saw it up close in Iraq and elsewhere. But issues of war and peace should be treated with the utmost consequence. And President Trump hasn’t made his case to the American people. He hasn’t laid out the goals or the imminent threat posed by Iran that justifies risking a wider regional war. And he hasn’t followed the Constitution and brought this issue before Congress before committing our nation to war. Most elected leaders — including President Trump himself — have condemned the rush to war without clear goals in the past.
“He owes the American people the same thing he was demanding of previous presidents if he’s going to put lives at risk. And Congress should come back to Washington to debate these issues.”
Rep. Tim Walberg, R, 5th District
President Trump sought repeatedly to make a deal with the Iranian regime, which has continued to be a destabilizing force in the Middle East,” Walberg said on X.
“The regime has murdered tens of thousands of innocent civilians in their own streets, supported terrorist groups that have killed thousands of Americans, harmed our servicemembers, and threatened our national security through their pursuit of attaining a nuclear weapon.
“Today, the President announced a decisive and strategic operation to restore peace through strength. May God bless the brave men and women of our military who are conducting this critical operation.”
Rep. Debbie Dingell, D, 6th District
“The President’s decision to use military force without authorization from Congress is unconstitutional. Congress has the sole power to declare war, and these decisions must be debated before the public,” Dingell said on X.
“We have all seen the brutality of the Iranian regime, including through its violent killing of protestors. However, conducting these strikes without Congressional authorization escalates the risk of war and puts service members in harm’s way. Americans need answers immediately. We cannot allow our nation to be drawn into another costly foreign conflict that threatens the safety of civilians and American troops.
“Congress must pass the Iranian War Powers Resolution to block the Trump Administration’s actions in Iran without congressional authorization.”
Rep. Lisa McLain, R, 9th District
“President Trump has taken decisive action against the world’s number one state sponsor of terror — a regime that has targeted American troops and called for ‘death to America.’ May God bless our Commander in Chief and military leaders with wisdom through this operation and may He keep our troops in His care,” McLain said on X.
Rep. Haley Stevens, D, 11th District
“President Trump has once again put Americans in harm’s way without consulting Congress-the latest in a series of grave violations of our Constitution by this Administration. I am praying for the safety of our troops and all the innocent people who have spent today taking refuge in bomb shelters across the region,” Stevens said on X.
“For decades, Iran’s state sponsorship of terror across the globe has led to chaos and unchecked violence. We cannot ignore that an armed and nuclear Iran would bring even more violence and chaos to the Middle East and the entire world. We also cannot ignore the imperative to achieve freedom for the people of Iran, who have bravely spoken out through protest in recent weeks.
“At Trump’s direction, Speaker Johnson has blocked multiple opportunities to reassert Congress’ war power authority. Congress and the White House must work together with our allies to achieve peace in the Middle East, stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, end Iran’s support for terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, and keep Americans safe at home and abroad.
“Michiganders have been clear they do not want more endless wars. Congress must be convened, we must be briefed, and we must follow the Constitution.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D, 12th District
“The American people do not want a war with Iran. Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of the American political elite and the Israeli apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No More Wars. The Trump Administration and Israeli regime’s illegal war of aggression on Iran has already killed dozens of children, and more horrific death and destruction will come,” Tlaib said on X.
“These acts of war threaten to ignite a catastrophic regional war that will make no one safer while unleashing unconscionable suffering.
“President Trump will pretend this is about democracy and the rights of the Iranian people. Don’t be fooled, Trump does not care about the Iranian people. The Iranian people are not pawns for the interests of foreign powers. Our government has imposed brutal sanctions that have destroyed the Iranian economy and the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. You cannot “free” people by killing them and destroying their country.
“Congress must stop the bloodshed by immediately reconvening to exert its war powers and stop this deranged president. But let’s be clear: warmongering politicians from both parties support this illegal war, and it will take a mass anti-war movement to stop it.”
Rep. John Moolenaar, R, 2nd District
“Last night, President Trump announced the beginning of combat operations against the Iranian regime. For nearly five decades, the regime has targeted Americans and our allies, oppressed its people, funded terrorist activity, and sought to develop a nuclear weapon,” Moolenaar said on Facebook.
“After Operation Midnight Hammer, those ambitions were destroyed, but the regime sought to rebuild. President Trump gave the Ayatollah a clear warning: dismantle your missile program or face further destruction. The regime ignored those warnings with plans to develop an ICBM that could reach the United States.
“God bless the brave members of the United States Armed Forces and I pray for their safety.”
Rep. Tom Barrett, R, 7th district
“The Iranian regime is directly responsible for the murder of thousands of American civilians and soldiers, including friends of mine, during our two-decade-long war on terror,” Barrett said on X. “They produced countless deadly explosives that allowed radical insurgents to penetrate even our toughest vehicle armor. Over the last 40 years, they have turned the guns on their own people time and time again, killing an estimated tens of thousands during protests this year alone.
“If this regime had acquired a nuclear weapon, then we would not have to wonder how they would use it. I look forward to being briefed on this situation immediately upon my return to Washington and I pray for a decisive and swift resolution to this conflict. The people of Iran deserve a peaceful and prosperous nation that is finally acting on behalf of its people, not the radical ideology that sadly has oppressed them for so long.
“Pray for our military. Pray for peace.”
Rep. Kristen McDonald-Rivet, D, 8th district
“I am closely following the situation in Iran, and Joseph and I are praying for the safety and well-being of our service members, citizens abroad, and civilians across the region,” McDonald-Rivet said on X.
“Let’s be clear-eyed — this Iranian regime has long been a state sponsor of terror that has done immeasurable damage. They must never get a nuclear weapon. However, last night’s military operations were green-lit without new evidence of a threat, a clear objective, or a defined endgame for American involvement. We cannot enter into another endless war in the Middle East.
“Questions of war are the most serious our country faces. We know far too well what happens when we start a conflict without answers to those basic questions. This is a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation. Before President Trump commits American troops, lives, and taxpayer dollars to another war in the Middle East, he needs to make a full case to the American people and earn our buy-in.”
Rep. Hillary Scholten, D, 3rd District
“The Iranian regime poses a profound threat to U.S. interests, Israel, our Gulf allies and partners, and global security. It remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, funding and directing violent proxy groups that have targeted American service members and destabilized the Middle East,” Scholten said on Facebook. “At home, the regime has crushed peaceful protests with brutal repression, killing tens of thousands and imprisoning many more.
“Its continued pursuit of advanced nuclear capabilities only heightens these dangers, and it must not be allowed toobtain a nuclear weapon. These threats demand a serious response grounded in constitutional legitimacy.However, President Trump has launched a military operation in Iran without clear congressional authorization.
“The Constitution vests in Congress the authority to declare war, providing accountability in decisions of such consequence. We can and must respond to the Iranian regime with resolve, while upholding the rule of law.In the coming days, the Administration must provide classified briefings detailing the basis for these actions and their objectives, scope, and risks, as well as the plan for the future.
“The President has a duty to come before Congress, present the intelligence, and make his case, ensuring Congress can fulfill its rightful role in matters of war and peace. The American people deserve no less.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar, D, 13th District
“This morning, Americans woke up to the news of another attack on Iran by President Trump,” Thanedar said on X. “It’s clear that President Trump’s strikes last year failed to stop Iran from developing nuclear capability. The current operation may be a longer, more drawn out mission and Americans do not want to enter another endless war.
“President Trump and his administration must immediately brief Congress on the attacks that are unfolding, and lay out our plan and goals. President Trump has so far failed to stop a nuclear Iran so Congress must retake its war powers authority, work with our allies, and use all tools, especially diplomatic efforts, to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“I pray for the safety of our servicemembers and Americans abroad. We can not tolerate a rushed, poorly planned, endless war.”
Rep. Bill Huizenga, R, 4th District
“Iran has been and still is the leading state sponsor of terror,” Huzenga said on X. “The Iranian Regime cannot obtain nuclear weapons or the delivery systems capable of striking the United States or our assets around the world. America seeks a peaceful and prosperous Iran where freedom can take hold and the seeds of economic opportunity can grow.
“The death of Ali Khamenei presents an opportunity the Iranian people have not had in generations. While this seismic event will have ramifications throughout the Middle East and across the globe, Congressional Democrats should end their blockade on funding for the Department of Homeland Security. We need all agencies within DHS fully operational at this time including TSA and the United States Coast Guard. Now is the time for Iran to make the right decision, abandon its nuclear ambitions, and end its global sponsorship of terrorism.
“God bless the men and women serving in our Armed Forces who carried out these missions and thank you for your service in defense of our nation.”
Rep. Jack Bergman, R, 1st District
“The Iranian regime’s decades of sponsoring terror — costing American service members and innocent lives — cannot go unanswered. Peace comes through strength, and weakness only emboldens our enemies,” Bergman said on Facebook.
“The threats against the United States and our allies must be confronted with resolve. As a Veteran, I know the cost of war. No one understands that burden more than the men and women who have worn the uniform. But we also understand that America — and the freedoms we defend — are worth standing up for.
“Join me in praying for our troops, our President, and the Iranian people. God Bless America.”
Rep. John James, R, 10th District
U.S. Rep. John James, 10th District did not appear to immediately make statements on social media about the attacks.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: US attacks Iran. What Michigan politicians are saying
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
