Kaitlyn Schallhorn | Orange County Register
While decrying the Iranian regime, Southern California Democrats were quick to condemn the U.S. involvement in the major attack on Iran overnight, arguing congressional approval is needed to engage in what could be a lengthy and costly war in the Middle East.
“This decision to strike Iran without congressional approval stands in stark contrast to a president who promised to put Americans first and end foreign wars,” U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said Saturday.
“The Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, and its state-sponsored terrorism and nuclear ambitions pose significant risks to the safety of Americans and regional stability,” Padilla said. “We must work with our allies to counter those threats. Regardless of what the president may think or say, he does not enjoy a blank check to launch large-scale military operations without a clear strategy, without any transparency or public debate and not without congressional approval.”
Along with Israel, the U.S. launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. The attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Donald Trump announced Saturday,
Trump, in a video message posted to social media earlier in the day, said the military began “major combat operations” to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
“It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer,” said Trump.
Republican congressional representatives praised Trump in the aftermath of the attack.
Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills, said the president “took decisive action in response to refusal by the Iranian regime to take diplomatic off-ramps, dismantle its nuclear program and end its reign of terror against the United States and our allies.”
Notably, Kim also said Congress should be briefed on what’s been dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
“I hope for a swift and decisive operation that will pave the way for a more peaceful Middle East and a safer world,” she said. “My prayers are with our brave U.S. servicemembers risking their lives to protect our nation.”
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, said he was notified after the attack began since he chairs the Defense Appropriations Committee.
“I look forward to continued briefings from our military and civilian national security leaders,” Calvert said. “We will stand together with Israel and our allies in the region as they face retaliation by Iran, and help them shape a more peaceful future for the Middle East.”
Calvert noted former presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, have attempted, without success, to get the Iranian regime “to divert from its violent path.”
“President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury will protect America and our allies by eliminating the Iranian regime’s ability to wage terror and threaten its enemies,” Calvert said. “It will also provide the Iranian people with a historic opportunity to shape their own future free from oppression.”
Democrats struck a more critical tone.
“Over the past few months, my heart has ached for the Iranian people,” said Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine. “For decades, they have suffered under this evil regime, but in recent weeks, the Islamic Republic has brutally attacked, tortured, raped and killed tens of thousands of peaceful Iranians. Many of my constituents have not been able to be in contact with their family and friends in Iran.
“However, as a member of Congress and an American citizen, I cannot stand by quietly while President Trump drags us into a costly and illegal war without even consulting with Congress, let alone receiving a declaration of war or authorization to use military force.”
Trump, Min said, should “immediately present his case for putting our servicemembers in harm’s way to Congress and the American people.”
That was a similar sentiment echoed by Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, who also castigated the Iranian regime but still said Trump needed congressional approval before undertaking such an attack.
“By launching this operation on his own, the president has put Congress and the country in the worst possible position,” Gomez said. “He started a war first, and now Congress is being asked to deal with the consequences instead of deciding whether the war should begin at all.”
“Once troops are in harm’s way, the pressure to escalate grows,” Gomez added. “That is how conflicts expand, costs rise and American lives are put at risk without a clear plan to end them,”
Should Congress be brought into the decision, Rep. Sydney Kamlager Dove, D-Los Angeles, said there would be bipartisan support for a comprehensive plan that supports the Iranian people while also preventing the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That just hasn’t happened, she said.
But Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, said he would oppose a vote that leads to a sustained war in Iran.
“I have no greater responsibility as an elected representative than deciding whether to send service members into harm’s way,” Levin said. “I believe that we can support Iranians’ struggle for democracy without initiating a regional war.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the criticisms from local Democratic lawmakers.
Here are more reactions from lawmakers around Southern California:
• Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrat: “The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go. But that does not justify the president of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people. President Trump is putting Americans at risk abroad because he is unpopular at home.”
• Sen. Adam Schiff, Democrat: “There is no doubt that the Iranian regime is responsible for killing thousands of its own citizens and sponsoring acts of terrorism against its neighbors and the United States. The American people stand in solidarity with the Iranian people protesting their own murderous and authoritarian government. However, President Trump had no authority under the Constitution to initiate this war of choice, place the lives of U.S. servicemembers in harm’s way and risk a broader conflict without making the case to the American people and seeking congressional approval.”
• Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands: “Iran is a terrorist state, a destabilizing force in the Middle East and continues to violate the human rights of Iranians. However, the Trump administration must immediately brief all members about this military action and explain why they are sending American troops and taxpayer dollars to another war in the Middle East. House Democrats will force a vote on the War Powers resolution offered by Reps. [Ro] Khanna and [Thomas] Massie to restrict military action in Iran without congressional approval. I will vote for the War Powers resolution in the House and will continue praying for our servicemembers who are in harm’s way.”
• Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-San Pedro: “Today is a sad and dangerous day for the men and women of our military and their families, as the president starts another potential war in the Middle East with Iran. Given the severity of the president’s actions, which I believe ignores and tramples on the Constitution, the Speaker should immediately call on Congress to return to Washington to debate and vote on the matter.”
• Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks: “Donald Trump’s decision to launch strikes against Iran without congressional authorization is a blatant violation of the Constitution and a dangerous abuse of executive power. This reckless escalation comes after his unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He has never presented a coherent strategy to confront Iran’s malign activities. As a result, the United States and our allies are less safe today. Preemptive U.S. military action against Iran not only endangers our troops, it risks further destabilizing an already volatile region and igniting a broader conflict. By launching these strikes, Donald Trump has thrust the United States into war without approval from Congress.”
• Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Covina: “The president cannot circumvent the Constitution and wage war without the approval of Congress. Iran is a bad actor and oppressive state that has suppressed its people and supported terrorism around the world. However, our military forces do not belong to the president to use on a whim, or because he doesn’t agree with the pace of negotiations. This is not about defending the nation. This is the president being reckless. Donald Trump’s actions have put military forces at risk and made us less safe.”
• Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park: “President Trump has launched an unlawful war with Iran despite no imminent threat to the United States, no long-term strategy, no support from the American public and no authorization from Congress. The House of Representatives must immediately take a vote on … a War Powers resolution that I cosponsor to halt all military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The Iranian regime is brutal, repressive and has denied Iranians freedom and dignity for generations. These facts alone do not give President Trump the authority to unilaterally launch a major, pre-emptive military operation which puts so many lives at risk. Americans have already seen this playbook fail in Iraq and Afghanistan, at enormous cost.”
• Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Glendale: “We cannot allow President Trump to drag Americans into another endless war. That is why I have supported bipartisan legislation to end U.S. involvement in Iran without congressional authorization since June of 2025. We must vote on that legislation immediately. I stand for the freedom of the Iranian people and support their fight for the right to choose their own leaders. However, we are a country of laws, and no president is above the law or the Constitution.”
• Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach: “The American people deserve lower prices and affordable health care, not another war in the Middle East. We can support the people of Iran and their self-determination without this dangerous action that is already costing innocent lives. End this war. We need a War Powers Vote now.”
• Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall: “May God bless and protect our brave service members as they carry out their duties and their mission.”
• Rep. Luz Rivas, D-Pacoima: “In the dead of night, Donald Trump conducted an unauthorized attack on Iran that will surely bring about instability across the region. Donald Trump has neglected to make the case for these attacks in front of Congress and the American people. The Constitution is clear: the president cannot enter into a war without approval from Congress — he is not above the law.”
• Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio: “Once again, Donald Trump has lied to the American people, broken the law, and risked American lives for a personal vendetta. He repeatedly promised no new wars and criticized past presidents for starting wars without congressional approval, but here he is, doing exactly that. We had an international agreement that prevented Iran from having nuclear weapons, but Trump tore it up. He’s the only reason Iran is able to pursue nuclear weapons. Congress must act immediately to stop Trump from risking American lives.”
• Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Whittier: “Just eight months after attacking nuclear sites in Iran and declaring its nuclear program ‘completely and totally obliterated,’ President Trump has dangerously escalated the situation. He has again violated the Constitution by launching additional airstrikes targeting major cities in Iran without congressional approval, further risking another forever war in the Middle East without a clear strategy or credible evidence of an imminent threat. Congress must reject this course. I urge Republicans to join Democrats in defending the Constitution and protecting our troops from this reckless president.”
• Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks: “At times like this, we reflect upon the patriotism and courage of our men and women in uniform, and their dedication to protecting Americans and minimizing civilian casualties.”
• Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside: “President Trump has launched a major military operation in the Middle East without a clear objective and without making the case to Congress or the American people. This reckless action puts American troops at risk and edges us toward a wider regional war. Congress must immediately reconvene and pass an Iran War Powers Resolution to stop this before it spirals further.”
• Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona: “Decisions that place American servicemembers in harm’s way require clarity of purpose, defined objectives and a strategy that prioritizes long-term stability and security. The Constitution entrusts Congress with the authority to declare war, ensuring that matters of armed conflict are subject to careful deliberations and democratic accountability. When the House considers a War Powers resolution to reaffirm Congress’ role, I intend to support that effort. It is essential that we proceed thoughtfully, uphold our constitutional framework and avoid actions that could lead to unintended consequences.”
• Rep. Derek Tran, D-Orange: “Iran is a terrorist nation-state and is a threat to democracies worldwide. It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States. However, the fact remains that America is not willing to entangle ourselves in another forever war. This administration’s failure to seek diplomatic resolution, combined with its failure to seek Congressional buy-in, is a recipe for catastrophe. Instead of a strategy to prevent Iran’s nuclear proliferation, we are seeing a reckless policy of regime change that threatens to ignite a full-scale war. Congress is not a bystander in matters of war and peace; we are a coequal branch of government with the sole constitutional authority to declare war.”
• Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce: “With this conflict escalating by the hour, Congress should return to D.C. immediately, vote on the War Powers resolution and do its constitutional job for the American people. There is no debate that the Iranian regime is dangerous and cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon — but taking major unilateral military action without congressional authorization is unconstitutional, full stop. Further, it risks a regional war that could cost many more American lives and further destabilize the region, like the Iraq war.”
This story was originally published by the Orange County Register on February 28, 2026.
Issues: 119th Congress, Military, National Security