Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, has taken issue with President Trump’s firm action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, arguing that the strikes were “illegal” because they were not approved by Congress. The Connecticut senator’s criticism underscores the ongoing political rift over how the United States should respond to threats from adversarial foreign powers and coincides with rising tensions with Iran.
Democrats Challenge Presidential War Powers
Sen. Chris Murphy has emerged as a vocal critic of President Trump’s recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Connecticut Democrat claims the president’s actions violate the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional authorization for military action.
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…
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 22, 2025
Murphy’s claims come as the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months. Despite intelligence assessments suggesting the strikes may have had limited impact, Murphy continues to push for congressional involvement in military decisions.
Constitutional Authority Debate Intensifies
The Senate recently voted against a resolution that would have required President Trump to seek congressional approval for further military action against Iran. This vote reaffirms the president’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief to protect American interests without lengthy congressional debates.
🇺🇸 SEN. MURPHY: TRUMP'S IRAN STRIKES "ILLEGAL"
Sen. Chris Murphy says Trump's military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were "clearly illegal" and done without congressional approval.
Pressed on whether Trump should be impeached:
"That's a decision the House makes. That's not… https://t.co/IA1SwiNDBa pic.twitter.com/Aw5OJLXSqx
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 29, 2025
When pressed on whether Trump should be impeached for the strikes, Murphy avoided a direct answer, stating, “That’s a decision the House makes. That’s not a decision the Senate makes.” His reluctance to fully endorse impeachment highlights the political reality that Democrats currently hold minorities in both chambers of Congress.
America First vs. Diplomatic Appeasement
Murphy’s criticism represents a fundamental difference in approach to national security threats. While President Trump has consistently prioritized American security through strength and decisive action, Murphy emphasizes diplomacy with the Iranian regime that has repeatedly threatened American interests.
“It is clear that this is illegal,” Murphy claimed in a recent interview, despite many constitutional scholars supporting the president’s authority to conduct limited military operations without prior congressional approval. Murphy further argued there was “no evidence of an imminent threat from Iran,” contradicting years of intelligence assessments about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and terrorist activities.
President Trump has maintained that his administration’s actions have effectively set back Iran’s nuclear program. The debate over presidential war powers dates back decades, with presidents from both parties asserting their authority to conduct limited military operations without explicit congressional authorization.
Murphy’s emphasis on reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran echoes the Obama-era approach that resulted in the controversial Iran nuclear deal. Critics of that agreement noted it provided economic relief to Iran while only temporarily pausing their atomic program rather than ending it permanently.
As tensions with Iran continue, Americans will ultimately decide which approach better protects their security – diplomatic engagement advocated by Democrats or the strength-through-action policy championed by President Trump. The fundamental constitutional question about war powers remains unresolved, as it has throughout American history.