Sen. Adam Schiff Condemns Trump’s Iran Strikes, Highlights Nuclear Setback as Sole Positive
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear sites on Sunday, labeling the move unconstitutional and lacking the necessary congressional approval. Schiff acknowledged that while the strikes may have set back Iran’s nuclear program, the broader implications remain highly uncertain and potentially dangerous.
During an interview on CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ Schiff expressed concerns that the strikes could lead to a significant escalation in regional tensions. “In terms of is there anything positive to come out of it? Yes. I mean, the destruction of these facilities is a positive in the sense that it will set back Iran’s program,” he said. “And look, this is a nefarious regime that is the preeminent state sponsor of terror, should have never been pursuing a nuclear program.” However, he warned that Iran might now withdraw from the Nonproliferation Treaty and accelerate its quest for nuclear weapons.
Schiff emphasized the constitutional and legal issues surrounding the strikes, stating they were not lawful without congressional authorization. “This was not constitutional. It was not lawful, in the absence of a declaration by Congress. And so the administration should have come to Congress, we will have a vote on a war powers resolution,” he said, highlighting the need for broad public and political support for such decisions.
The senator also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the potential Iranian response, which could include attacks on American lives or shifts in the regime’s stance. “We simply don’t know. We simply don’t know,” he admitted, calling for more transparency and better intelligence sharing with Congress.
Schiff’s remarks were echoed by other lawmakers, including Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who also condemned the strikes as unconstitutional. Massie pointed out that Trump’s actions could drag the United States into another prolonged Middle East conflict. Khanna urged an immediate return to Congress to vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent such scenarios from recurring.
The bipartisan criticism underscores growing concerns about the legality and wisdom of unilateral military actions without congressional oversight, raising questions about the future direction of U.S. foreign policy and military engagement in the region.