Key facts
- Congressman Ro Khanna stated that renewed strikes on Iran violate the War Powers Resolution.
- The US Senate approved a measure demanding President Donald Trump halt military action in Iran or seek congressional approval.
- The House of Representatives previously passed the same measure.
- President Donald Trump criticized the resolution as 'poorly timed and meaningless'.
- Khanna threatened legal action if Trump does not cease military operations.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has condemned the Trump administration's renewed strikes on Iran, asserting they violate a congressional measure intended to limit further military action without lawmaker approval. Khanna stated on X that these strikes are a 'blatant violation of the War Powers Resolution that we passed' and demanded Trump 'stop this war now — or we will take him to court to compel him to do so.'
The comments follow the Republican-controlled US Senate's approval of a measure demanding President Donald Trump halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action. This measure, previously passed by the US House of Representatives, represents a rare rebuke of Trump by lawmakers. A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in the 50-48 Senate vote, with the House vote being 215-208.
President Trump criticized the resolution, calling it 'poorly timed and meaningless' and stating that the senators involved 'have just made my job more difficult.' Middle East analyst Laura Blumenfeld described the resolution as 'more of a slap on a wrist than a handcuff, because it has no legal binding,' but noted it reflects 'the American people's sentiments.'
Experts believe the vote is unlikely to significantly impact the conflict, with presidents historically ignoring such resolutions. Michael Glennon, a law professor at Tufts University, called the vote 'more significant politically' due to both houses of Congress, controlled by Republicans, standing against the president. However, Jonathan Entin, a constitutional law professor at Case Western Reserve University, advised against overreacting, noting that upcoming midterm elections may influence Republican lawmakers' decisions on opposing Trump.