Dem Leaders Speak Out - June 23

Posted by DA News
June 23, 2025

DA News Editor

Democratic leaders from across the House and the Senate are making it clear that Trump's unconstitutional actions cannot be tolerated.

We've included a few of their statements below, and we encourage you to check what your own senators and representatives are saying if they aren't listed. If they’re speaking up, thank them and amplify their message. If they’re staying silent, call them out. This is a moment that demands political courage. Let’s make sure our Congressional leaders know we’re watching, and that we expect them to act.

For more information on how to call your senators and representative, visit this Take Action.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY8)
“Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm’s way.

President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.

First, the Trump administration bears the heavy burden of explaining to the American people why this military action was undertaken. Second, Congress must be fully and immediately briefed in a classified setting. Third, Donald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action. (statement here)

Senator Cory Booker (NJ)
“The Iranian regime is the most destabilizing force in the Middle East and the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to global security and US national security. Allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons is an outcome that must never be allowed.

President Trump has not eliminated Iran's nuclear threat.

Despite his boasts of ‘completely and totally obliterating’ Iran’s nuclear facilities, his administration has already begun to shift its tone—acknowledging uncertainty about what was actually accomplished. (full statement here)

Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL)
“I ran for Congress so that when the drums of war started beating in Washington again, I’d be in a position to make sure that our leaders fully consider the true costs of war—not just in dollars and cents, but in the sacrifices and blood of our troops. The Trump Administration illegally bombed Iran tonight, putting American troops and citizens at risk of retaliation and threatening to draw us into yet another Middle East war without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval. I have long said Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. But this goal could and should have been pursued through diplomatic means first.

In this dangerous moment, my top priority is—and the Trump Administration’s top priority should be—ensuring the safety and security of American troops, personnel, diplomats and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners and allies. But the Trump Administration must immediately come before Congress not only to provide our troops with the confidence that their Commander in Chief is upholding the Constitution that they swore to support and defend, but also because it is my Constitutional responsibility to make sure he’s not getting us into yet another quagmire in the Middle East.” (statement here)

Senator Chris Murphy (CT)
“Donald Trump, a weak and dangerously reckless president, has put the United States on a path to a war in the Middle East that the country does not want, the law does not allow, and our security does not demand.

Our president knows nothing about history. And history tells us that the United States' hubris about the efficacy of military action in the Middle East is almost universally wrong. Trump has been goaded into these strikes by the perpetual cheerleaders of war in the Middle East - the people who know how to start conflicts there but never know how to end them, and the people who profit - politically and financially - from endless war.” (full statement here)