Trump lashed out at Democrats and GOP rebels as House approves measure to curb his war powers amid Iran talks | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 4th) sharply criticized a House vote aimed at curbing his military authority, accusing Democrats and four Republican lawmakers of undermining ongoing negotiations with Iran.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump condemned what he described as a “senseless vote” by the House of Representatives, saying it came at a critical moment in the effort to end the conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Trump attacks House vote
“Yesterday, in a nonsensical vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all Democrats, to limit my war powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the war with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president suggested that lawmakers be aware of the status of negotiations and accused his political opponents of putting partisan interests ahead of national interests.
“Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where the negotiations stand,” he said.
Criticism of Democrats and Republican Dissidents
Trump also renewed his attacks on Democrats, claiming they were motivated by what he often calls “Trump derangement syndrome.”
“Democrats are driven by Trump Derangement Syndrome. They would rather fail our country than give me another one of many victories,” he wrote.
The president reserved separate criticism for four Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
“Four Republicans, that’s a whole other story — they’re GREAT! They should be ashamed of themselves. MAGA!!!” Trump added.
Why the US House voted to limit Trump’s war powers and what’s next
The US House of Representatives has passed a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s ability to continue military action against Iran without congressional approval, the first time the chamber has taken such action during the ongoing conflict.
The resolution passed by a narrow 215-208 vote, with a handful of Republicans joining Democrats in a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president’s handling of the three-month-old war.
What did the House vote do?
The resolution seeks to reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority over decisions regarding war and military engagement.
With this measure, Congress is signaling that ongoing US military operations against Iran should not continue without the express approval of lawmakers.
While the resolution does not immediately halt military action, it poses a significant political challenge to the White House and shows growing concern among lawmakers about the economic and strategic implications of the conflict.
Why do legislators enforce resolutions?
Democrats and some Republicans say the war is becoming increasingly costly and lacks clear authorization from Congress.
Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a leading proponent of the resolution, said Americans are paying the price for the conflict in higher fuel and consumer costs.
Since the United States joined Israel in military strikes against Iran on February 28, global energy markets have been disrupted. Iran’s ability to interfere with shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has contributed to rising oil prices and global inflationary pressures.
Trump campaigned to reduce US military involvement overseas and focus on domestic priorities, making the long-running conflict politically controversial.
Why did House Speaker Mike Johnson oppose it?
House Speaker Mike Johnson had previously tried to prevent the measure from reaching a vote, reflecting concerns among Republican leaders about publicly exposing rifts in the party.
Johnson argued that the administration remains focused on securing a lasting peace deal and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global trade.
“The whole world has an interest in seeing the Strait of Hormuz reopened to trade,” Johnson said, expressing support for Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
What is the War Powers Act?
At the center of the debate is the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was enacted after the Vietnam War.
The law requires presidents to notify Congress when U.S. forces are brought into hostilities and generally limits military deployments to 60 days unless lawmakers provide authorization.
Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war, while the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This overlapping authority has led to decades of conflict between the executive and legislative branches over military action.
Why is the Trump administration opposing the resolution?
The administration says the congressional restrictions could weaken U.S. influence during negotiations with Iran.
At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Tehran could see the congressional action as a sign that Washington’s options are limited.
According to Rubio, Iran may conclude that the administration’s “hands will be tied,” reducing incentives to negotiate a peace deal.
The White House has also argued that a ceasefire declared earlier in the conflict means that active hostilities have largely ceased, potentially reducing the legal weight of the War Powers Act’s 60-day requirement.
what’s next
The resolution now heads to the Senate.
Last month, four Republican senators joined Democrats in pushing a similar war powers measure, signaling bipartisan concern over the conflict. However, the final vote has not yet taken place in the Senate.
If the Senate approves the resolution, it will be one of the most significant congressional efforts in recent years to challenge the president’s military authority.
Read also | Trump tells aides he won’t renew all-out war with Iran unless US troops are killed
