House Republican Joins Democrats to Sue Trump Over Iran War
House Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky is aligning with Democrats to sue President Donald Trump regarding the Iran conflict. Massie serves as a co-sponsor of a new resolution intended to compel House Speaker Mike Johnson to take legal action against the Trump administration. This effort claims that the president breaches federal law amid the Middle East confrontation.
This legislative action involves several key Democratic figures, including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Other Democratic co-sponsors include Reps. Jim McGovern from Massachusetts, Gabe Amo from Rhode Island, Pramila Jayapal from Washington, Jason Crow from Colorado, and Ro Khanna from California.
Massie criticized Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, accusing them of significantly violating two sections of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
Massie pointed out that a concurrent resolution passed under section 5(c) of the law has been ignored by the White House. He argues that while the administration considers the law unconstitutional, no court has supported this position. He insists that the unresolved issues of the War Powers Resolution need a judicial ruling, which the new legislation seeks.
According to Massie, the Trump administration has also breached section 5(b) of the same resolution. He highlights that the White House uses temporary ceasefires in Iran to restart the statutory clock on military activity, avoiding the 60-day limit. Massie declares this interpretation as implausible and seeks legal action to confirm this viewpoint.
Previously, Massie was among the few House Republicans who joined Democrats in condemning Trump over the Iran war by supporting a war powers resolution. This resolution passed but holds only symbolic value without practical impact.
However, Massie’s open criticism of Trump attracted a primary challenger, endorsed by the president, resulting in Massie’s defeat. Despite this, the new resolution to legally challenge Trump on the Iran war may not advance to a full House vote unless strategic maneuvers by Massie or the Democrats overcome resistance from GOP leadership.
Massie expressed disappointment with congressional leadership. He stated that Speaker Johnson has weakened the institution’s power and harmed constitutional authority through inaction for political reasons. Massie argues that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan received Congressional authorization through AUMFs, but Trump’s actions in Iran lack Congressional approval, hence operating unconstitutionally.
In a response, Johnson mentioned to reporters that he found an AUMF unnecessary, yet expressed a desire for an end to the conflict. He noted ongoing efforts by the administration and the Department of War to resolve the war, although preferring a resolution without further Congressional authorization.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the administration, noting how Trump took bold steps against a nuclear threat posed by Iran. She emphasized the transparency provided to Congress during the conflict, with multiple bipartisan briefings conducted since February.
Elizabeth Elkind reports on politics for Fox News Digital, focusing on the House of Representatives. Her previous work appeared in Daily Mail and CBS News.