Rep. Thomas Massie recently criticized President Trump’s decision to strike three major nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran, accusing Trump of misleading voters and risking the Republican base’s support in the upcoming midterms. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Massie expressed his frustration with Trump’s foreign policy, which he believes has been driven by neoconservative influences rather than the campaign promises made during the 2,000 election. ‘I feel a bit misled,’ Massie said, ‘I didn’t think he would let neocons determine his foreign policy and drag us into another war.’ His concerns were echoed by other Republicans who fear that Trump’s actions could lead to a lack of engagement from the base, making it difficult for the GOP to maintain its majority in the midterms.
Massie, a conservative libertarian known for his strong opposition to U.S. military intervention, accused Trump of escalating tensions with Iran at a time when the country was already involved in a conflict with Israel. He described the strikes as an act of war, stating that the U.S. is now a ‘co-belligerent in a hot war between two countries.’ This position sharply contrasts with Trump’s public assertion that the strikes were a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear program, which he claimed would force the country to make peace. However, Massie argued that the operation’s timing and context make it an unmistakable act of war, distinguishing it from previous strikes on Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani.
Massie is one of the few GOP officials who have openly clashed with Trump on multiple issues, from government spending to foreign policy. He is co-leading a resolution with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to prevent the U.S. military from engaging in unauthorized hostilities in Iran. Despite the potential opposition from pro-Israel groups and congressional leaders, Massie is determined to push the resolution to the House floor. ‘We’re going to try to use the privileges of the House to get this to the floor,’ he said, acknowledging the challenges he faces but expressing his commitment to the cause.
The White House responded to Massie’s criticism with a pointed rebuke, labeling him a ‘grandstander’ and threatening to challenge him in the Republican primary. Trump’s recent post on Truth Social accused Massie of being a ‘negative force’ and a ‘pathetic LOSER,’ emphasizing the deepening rift within the GOP over foreign policy and military action. Meanwhile, the Trump administration defended the strike as a necessary and justified response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even as progressions and some conservatives criticized the decision as an unnecessary escalation of tensions in the region.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claimed that the administration had properly notified Congress about the strikes within the legal framework, even as critics argued that the process bypassed a co-equal branch of government. Massie, however, pointed out that the War Powers Act requires Congress to vote on military intervention within 60 days, which could lead to further legislative action if the conflict continues. The broader implications of these strikes are clear, as they have become a focal point for debates over U.S. foreign policy, military engagement, and the role of Congress in shaping national defense decisions.