WASHINGTON D.C. February 28, 2026 – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) issued a scathing statement Saturday condemning President Donald Trump’s authorization of major U.S. military strikes on Iran, calling the action an unconstitutional escalation that bypasses Congress and endangers lives.
The Democratic lawmaker’s remarks, posted on X, came hours after Trump announced “major combat operations” in coordination with Israel. Explosions rocked Tehran and other Iranian sites as part of the operation, which Trump framed as necessary to neutralize threats from Iran’s nuclear program and regime.
In her full statement, Omar said:
“President Trump is unilaterally dragging this nation into an illegal and unjustified war with Iran without congressional authorization, without a clear objective, and without any imminent threat to the United States. This is a reckless abuse of power that puts both innocent civilians and American lives on the line for a conflict the American people do not want.
“As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know that bombs do not build peace or create stability. Military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos. When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.
“We know who will bear the cost of this decision: innocent civilians caught in the crossfire and our young service members sent into harm’s way. This is the devastating human toll of another regime-change war. Already, children and families are paying with their lives. There is no moral or strategic justification for this bloodshed.
“The American people are exhausted by endless wars built on false promises and paid for with American and foreign lives. Congress must reassert its constitutional authority. We must vote immediately on the War Powers resolution authored by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie. This unlawful operation must end immediately.”
Trump earlier posted a video message urging Iranians to “seize control of your destiny” and overthrow their government, while describing the campaign as a defense of U.S. national security.
Iran has reportedly launched retaliatory missile strikes on U.S. assets across the Middle East, raising fears of broader regional conflict.
Omar’s statement echoes concerns from other progressive and some bipartisan lawmakers about the lack of congressional approval for the operation, which critics label a potential “war of choice.”
Life News Agency will continue monitoring developments as the situation unfolds.
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