Bill Maher Challenges California Senator on Trump’s Iran Policy Criticisms

During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s show, a California Democrat found himself momentarily at a loss for words when confronted with a clever twist involving presidential statements on military operations. The incident unfolded as Adam Schiff, known for his critical stance against former President Donald Trump, was caught off guard by Maher’s revelation.

Schiff, who has been vocal about Trump’s decision to bypass congressional approval in his recent military actions against Iran, anticipated a familiar critique. However, Maher threw a curveball by presenting a quote that seemingly supported unilateral military decisions by the president. Schiff attempted to respond but hesitated when Maher revealed the quote was actually from former President Barack Obama, not Trump.

The exchange highlighted Schiff’s critical view of Trump’s approach, particularly in the context of the controversial strike in Iran. However, it also underscored the complexities and nuances of presidential authority in military matters, as Schiff grappled with the realization that the same rationale had been used by a president from his own party.

Bill Maher set the stage for the exchange by reading a statement, “The president had the constitutional authority to direct the use of military force because he could reasonably determine that such use of force was in the national interest.” He then challenged Schiff, asking if the statement was too vague for his liking.

‘That’s too vague for you?’ he asked Schiff. 

The senator answered that the statement was ‘totally vague’ before Maher revealed it had actually come from the Obama Administration in 2011 regarding military operations in Libya and not President Trump. 

‘Well, Obama made the argument, initially, that he could go into Syria without authorization,’ Schiff said, noting that he was against the move. 

‘I and many others pushed back on that argument. Ultimately, he did not go forward with going after [former Syrian President] Assad – even though Assad was gassing his own people – because he thought he might lose the vote in Congress.’

Adam Schiff stuttered through an answer after Bill Maher revealed a quote on unsanctioned military operations was from former President Barack Obama 

Maher asked if the quote from Obama was ‘too vague’ before Schiff agreed that it was and Maher revealed that it was not from the Trump Administration 

Schiff went on to say he respected the fact that the issue was prominent to the former president, who, after he ‘did not have the support of Congress,’ did not ‘go forward’ with those operations. 

The senator has publicly condemned Trump’s move to strike Iran with Israel on February 28, writing on X: ‘There was no imminent threat to justify starting a war with Iran. Instead, Donald Trump chose the path of more chaos – with American lives on the line.’

‘I’m joining my colleagues in forcing a vote to stop the president abusing his power,’ he concluded. 

Maher, however, appeared to be in support of the move – despite his ongoing feud with Trump. 

‘This week, war. Did you hear about that thing? We bombed Iran and it’s going on. Now, have you expected me to say I hate it? I don’t, sorry,’ Maher said.  ‘When he puts boots on the ground, yeah, then I’ll hate it.’

Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized the airstrikes which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as other senior leaders. 

‘There would be nothing better than an end to this terrible, century- or decades-long dictatorship,’ Schiff told ABC News on March 1. ‘But there is no imminent threat to the United states that would justify exposing US troops to that kind of risk.’

Yet, despite pushback, House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied that America is at war. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied that America is at war, indicating that US military operations were being contained to a ‘limited scope’

Maher, who has been in a long-standing feud with the president, surprisingly admitted that he was not in opposition of Trump’s move to strike Iran last month

Johnson simply said that the military operations in Iran are ‘limited in its scope,’ The Independent reported. 

‘Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore,’ the president wrote on TruthSocial on Saturday. 

‘This promise was only made because of the relentless US and Israeli attack. They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East… It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries.

‘They have said, “Thank you President Trump.” I have said, “You’re welcome!” Iran is no longer the “Bully of the Middle East,” they are instead, “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and will be for many decades until they surrender, or, more likely, completely collapse!

‘Today, Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.’

However, Trump’s move has many questioning the president’s vow to end wars and not start them – as fears over a ‘forever war’ loom following the airstrikes. 

‘One this is certainly true though, the president broke his promise to the American people of no more regime change wars,’ Schiff told ABC News. 

‘There’s nothing in this action that’s going to improve the lives of Americans.’ 

On Saturday, the president suggested that there is a possibility that US troops will be needed on the ground in Iran at some point in the future for a ‘very good reason’

On Saturday, the president suggested that there is a possibility that US troops will be needed on the ground in Iran.

‘I don’t even wanna talk about it now,’ he said on his Air Force One private plane. 

‘You know, I’m not going to answer it. Could there be? Possibly, for very good reason, have to be very good reason.

‘I would say if we ever did that they would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level.’

Trump’s admission that he may end up deploying US ground troops comes after the White House denied an NBC News report on Friday night claiming that he was ‘seriously considering’ making the move.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the report, alleging it was ‘based on assumptions from anonymous sources who are not part of the President’s national security team and are clearly not read into these discussions.’

‘President Trump always, wisely keeps all options open, but anyone trying to insinuate he is in favor of one option or another proves they have no real seat at the table,’ Leavitt said at the time.