A major showdown over war powers is brewing in Washington following the Trump administration’s “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites conducted without congressional approval. The massive Saturday operation, involving 125 aircraft and 75 precision weapons against Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, is being defended by administration officials as a limited, preventative measure against nuclear weaponization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance emphasized that the strike was against Iran’s nuclear program, not the nation itself, and would not lead to prolonged conflict.
Rubio explained on CBS’s “Face The Nation” that the strike aimed to “degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions.” Vance, on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” cited the President’s “clear authority” to prevent WMD proliferation, assuring that this engagement would be decisive.
However, the lack of congressional consultation has sparked a fierce debate. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), co-author of a bipartisan War Powers Resolution, lambasted the administration on “Face The Nation,” arguing that “no imminent threat to the United States” existed to justify bypassing congressional debate. He criticized lawmakers for prioritizing fundraising over their constitutional duties.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, quickly backed Trump, stating on X that “leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency” and the “imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act.” He also asserted Trump’s respect for Article I powers. Yet, leading Democrats, who were reportedly not briefed until after the strike, labeled the action illegal. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) warned on CBS of increased risks for American troops and asserted that the scale of the attack constituted “hostilities” requiring congressional approval. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) agreed, emphasizing the absence of an “imminent threat” to justify the heightened danger to U.S. forces.