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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In the wake of a significant military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday, Illinois political figures are sharing their reactions.
The operation, which commenced in the early morning hours, followed a series of discussions between the U.S. and Iran focusing on the latter’s nuclear ambitions and measures to curb its capability to develop weapons.
Per the Associated Press, President Donald Trump urged Iranian citizens to “seize control of your destiny” by challenging the Islamic regime that has been in power since 1979.
The White House has announced there are currently no plans for President Trump to deliver a national address concerning the strikes. This marks the second instance in a year where the U.S. administration has taken military action against the Islamic Republic.
Below are statements from local and state leaders expressing their opinions on the recent military actions and its possible consequences.
Governor JB Pritzker, Democrat
Governor Pritzker responded to the attack on Facebook, criticizing the President for the move that the governor said had no justification:
“No justification, no authorization from Congress, and no clear objective. But none of that matters to Donald Trump — and apparently neither do the safety and lives of American service members. He is once again sidestepping the Constitution and once again failing to explain why he’s taking us into another war. Americans asked for affordable housing and health care, not another potentially endless conflict. God protect our troops.”
In the post, Pritzker reposted a video of Trump saying, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war.”
U.S. Senator Richard “Dick” Durbin, Democratic Whip
“Though there is bipartisan support for stopping the development of nuclear weapons in Iran, there is no consensus for another interminable war in the Middle East. I was one of 23 Senators who voted against the war in Iraq. A war in Iran with the goal of regime change could be another long-term military commitment with deadly consequences for thousands of American troops. The rash and unpredictable conduct of President Trump is a well-established worry in many ways but an impulsive commander in chief is a deadly combination.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Democrat
“Donald Trump cannot stop breaking his promises to the American people. Too many Americans believed him when he promised that he would get our nation out of foreign wars and bring prices down for families. They can clearly see with their own eyes that he was lying.
“Instead, Donald Trump chose to put American lives and national security at risk while threatening to draw us into yet another expensive, taxpayer-funded forever war without Constitutionally-required authorization, a defined end-state or a real plan to prevent the instability that could come next. He is making that choice while his chaotic policies here at home continue driving costs for middle-class Americans to record highs. And the long-planned and deeply-calculated nature of these strikes wholly undermine any attempt to claim they are in response to a legitimate imminent threat—Donald Trump made a choice he did not have to make.
“I first ran for Congress so that when the drums of war started beating again in Washington, I’d be in a position—standing on the titanium legs I earned in a different unjustified war in the Middle East—to make sure that our nation’s leaders fully consider the true costs of their decisions. Not just in dollars and cents, but in the sacrifices and blood that they are asking our troops and military families to make.
“Donald Trump owes it to the American people he promised he would always put first to immediately come before Congress and attempt to justify how his illegal war will actually serve their interests. In the meantime, the Senate owes it to our troops to immediately vote on Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution to block this illegal military campaign.
“If there was ever a time for Republicans to find their spines, it’s now, when the Commander in Chief readily admits that he is choosing to put our troops’ lives at risk without a legitimate imminent threat to our homeland or our citizens.”
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican
“Iran has repeatedly rejected serious diplomatic efforts, despite President Trump and the United States making it abundantly clear that we will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon or retain the capability to do so. Rather than engage in good-faith negotiations, the Iranian regime has continued to fund terrorist organizations, destabilize the Middle East, murder its own citizens, and threaten the security of the United States and our allies. Last night’s Operation ‘Epic Fury’ was a direct consequence of Iran’s actions and its refusal to pursue a peaceful path forward. President Trump and his team made every effort to provide the regime with a diplomatic off-ramp, but the safety and security of the American people must always remain our top priority. We pray for the safety of our brave servicemembers, Americans in the region, and our allies.”
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat
“By ignoring the limits of his own constitutional power, Donald Trump is risking the lives of Americans in an unauthorized war with no end in sight. It’s clear — the American people do not want war. The President’s reckless decision to strike Iran puts our service members in harm’s way, jeopardizes regional stability, and risks drawing the United States into yet another forever conflict. By calling this action a war, the President has made clear that he has once again overstepped his authority. The power to go to war is reserved for Congress and Congress alone. As such, I will be voting in support of the War Powers Resolution to rein in this unaccountable President. In the meantime, I am praying for the safety of our service members.””
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat
“I am deeply worried about the President’s decision to strike Iran, circumventing Congress. Without an articulated plan to protect our national security and the safety of our allies, this action puts our servicemembers at great risk. Iranian retaliation could destabilize the Middle East and draw much of the world into a full-blown, drawn-out war.”
WMBD has reached out to other congressmen and leaders in the area. This story will be updated as those comments reach our reporters.