Amid ongoing hostilities with Iran, Democrats brushed off past calls from some figures in their party for U.S. armed forces to “refuse illegal orders,” even as they broadly maintained that President use of the military is on shaky footing without lawmaker approval.
“The troops are in no way to blame for this illegal war. Responsibility lies solely and simply with the president,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said.
“We support the troops always. Theyre following orders,” Rep. Daren Soto, D-Fla., said. “This is about a debate of whether we should be there or not.”
The comments come just months after six members of Congress with military backgrounds unconstitutional directives.
“You must refuse illegal orders,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said. “Dont give up the ship.”
The six lawmakers included: Slotkin, Sen. D-Ariz., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo.
The lawmakers did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals requests for comment when asked about what those calls meant in the context of the conflict with Iran.
Efforts to pass a would curb Trumps military powers in Iran have failed amid a steep partisan divide over whether the presidents actions fall within what the Constitution permits without congressional approval.
A war power resolution that would have forced Trump to remove U.S. forces from Iran failed in the in a 213-214 vote on Thursday.
Democrats, citing the War Powers Act of 1973, note that the law requires a president to secure approval from lawmakers before engaging in a conflict that goes past 60 days.
“The president says its an excursion which its not,” Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., said. “We have to call it for what it is. It is a war.”
Republicans and other advocates for the conflict have noted the war with Iran hasnt hit that mark yet.
Sen. , D-Pa., joined Republicans in rebuffing challenges to the presidents authority.
“Ive been the only Democrat who has supported Epic Fury,” Fetterman said, referring to the Iran conflicts operational name.
“And now were 48 days into this. None of this has been illegal,” he added.
Even so, Democrats have blasted the president for dragging the country into a conflict that they say is far from a meaningful resolution.
Blumenthal called on the administration to provide lawmakers with more information about a possible timeline for resolution and more details about the conflict’s status.
“One of the complaints â and it’s bipartisan â we dont have any accurate information about how the blockade is going, what the are, even in a classified setting,” Blumenthal said.
Although Trump has said U.S. and Iran talks are working towards ending the conflict for good, it remains unclear if ceasefire talks will render a permanent cessation of hostilities.
