Dems eyeing 2028 split on criticism of attacks on Iran
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Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images
Potential Democratic presidential candidates are blasting Donald Trump's war against Iran, but their criticisms differ — and a few even echo some Trump talking points.
Why it matters: Their responses reveal subtle but important differences in approaches to foreign policy and political strategy.
What they're saying: Some condemned Trump's push for regime change, while others focused their critiques on process — Trump not waiting for congressional approval to begin bombing, his military strategy, and his not making the case to voters.
- Former Vice President Harris said that even if Congress had approved Trump's actions, "that does not change the fact this action is unwise, unjustified and not supported by the American people. There can be no equivocation in our opposition to Donald Trump's war of choice."
- New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined Harris in absolute opposition to Trump's actions: "This war is unlawful. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic."
Nearly every potential Democratic candidate surveyed by Axios said Trump should have gone through Congress. Some focused their critiques on that rather than the goal of regime change, and several noted that Iran's leadership has killed U.S. troops and funded terrorist groups across the Middle East.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Trump "acted unilaterally — without congressional approval and outside of the guardrails set up by our founders in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago," but also added that "the Iranian regime represses its own people and is the leading state sponsor of terrorism around the world."
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump's moves an "illegal, dangerous war," but also said that "the corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go."
- New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker argued that Trump had "no plan" and that he "has presented no strategy for what happens if the Iranian regime collapses." Booker also called the regime "one of the most dangerous, destabilizing forces in the Middle East."
Several potential candidates called for Congress to immediately return to Washington to debate U.S. actions, with some calling for an immediate vote on a war powers resolution to check Trump's authority.
- California Rep. Ro Khanna has introduced a measure to prohibit military action against Iran.
- Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said: "The Senate needs to come back to Washington immediately and do its constitutional duty."
- And Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a veteran of the Iraq war, honed in on the potential toll on those in the military. "A draft-dodger who's never worn a uniform is now risking the lives of working-class kids," he said.
