Johnson: Trump Didn’t Need Congressional Approval For Iran Strikes

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday defended President Donald Trump’s use of the U.S. military to strike three suspected Iranian nuclear weapons facilities, saying that he didn’t need Congress’s approval to take the action.

Though Congress passed authorizations for the use of force in 2001 and 2002 ahead of the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, and though Democrats and some Republicans complained that Trump’s actions violated the Constitution, Johnson said the president had the statutory authority to take action deemed in the country’s national security interests.

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“The President made the right call, and did what he needed to do. Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act,” Johnson wrote on the X platform.

“The world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants ‘Death to America,’ simply could not be allowed the opportunity to obtain and use nuclear weapons. The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight’s necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties,” he added.

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Several administration officials who made the rounds on the various news programs on Sunday reiterated that the U.S. was not “at war” with Iran and that Trump’s actions were limited and specific.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) also supported Trump’s actions.

“The regime in Iran, which has committed itself to bringing ‘death to America’ and wiping Israel off the map, has rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace. The mullahs’ misguided pursuit of nuclear weapons must be stopped. As we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm’s way,” he said.

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Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wy.) added, “President @realDonaldTrump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear program is the right one. The greatest threat to the safety of the United States and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon. God Bless our troops.”

Republican Conference Chairman and U.S. Army veteran Sen. Tom Cotton agreed as well, noting Iran’s history of attacking Americans and American interests for decades.

“Iran has waged a war of terror against the United States for 46 years. We could never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. God bless our brave troops. President Trump made the right call and the ayatollahs should recall his warning not to target Americans,” he said.

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Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Sen. Jim Risch also issued a lengthy statement of support.

“As President Trump has said over and over again – as have I – Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Why? A nuclear-armed Iran would without doubt spark a nuclear arms race that would take off around the world. This is a direct threat to American national security if left unchecked,” he said.

“This war is Israel’s war not our war, but Israel is one of our strongest allies and is disarming Iran for the good of the world. I’ve also always said that Israel would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. For Israel this is existential. The Iranians literally want to wipe Israel and all Jews off the face of the earth. This strike will put an end to those ambitions,” the Idaho Republican noted further.

“President Trump took decisive action today to assist the Israelis in their efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Only American weapons could do what has been done. This has made America safer, in addition to the Israelis, and the world more broadly,” he said.

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“This is not the start of a forever war. There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran. This was a precise, limited strike, which was necessary and by all accounts was very successful. As President Trump has stated, now is the time for peace,” he added.