In a startling turn of events, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was interrupted during his "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Tusla, Oklahoma, with news of President Donald Trump's announcement of a successful attack on three nuclear sites in Iran.
The news was delivered to Sanders via an aide, who relayed Trump's message posted on Truth Social.
According to Fox News, the President's post read, "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan." The crowd at Sanders' rally responded with chants of "No more wars!" as the senator processed the information.
Trump's post further detailed that all American planes had safely exited Iranian airspace after dropping a full payload of bombs on the primary site, Fordow. He concluded his message with a call for peace and gratitude towards the American military.
Sanders, a vocal socialist, reacted to the news with visible dismay, labeling the action as "alarming" and "so grossly unconstitutional." He reminded his supporters that the power to declare war lies solely with the U.S. Congress, not the President. His sentiments echo those of a bipartisan coalition in Congress who have criticized Trump's unilateral action against Iran as unconstitutional.
Earlier this week, a bipartisan War Powers Resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives. This resolution, prompted by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, seeks to "remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic State of Iran." It further directs Trump to "terminate" the deployment of American troops against Iran without an "authorized declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military forces against Iran."
Sanders, known for his anti-war stance, passionately declared, "The American people do not want more war, more death!" He suggested that the focus should be on domestic issues in states like Oklahoma and Vermont, rather than engaging in another unwanted war.
Despite the alarming news, Sanders encouraged his supporters not to abandon their vision for America's future. He urged them to "stand up and fight back," asserting that the country belongs to its citizens. Sanders has been a consistent critic of the United States' involvement in Israel's war against Iran, particularly as Trump considered striking Iran's nuclear facilities.
Earlier this week, Sanders took to social media to express his disapproval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's influence on U.S. foreign and military policy. He stated, "Netanyahu is not the President of the United States," adding that the United States should not be part of a war that the people of Israel support.
Sanders has been a staunch critic of Netanyahu's war against Gaza since Israel retaliated following Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. After Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities last week, Sanders condemned it as a "violation of international law," likening Netanyahu to a "war criminal."
The "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Tusla was part of Sanders' southern tour, a response to Trump's ambitious second-term agenda. The tour targets deep red districts currently held by Republicans, a strategy also employed by Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) through their "People's Town Halls" across the United States.
Sanders' rally in Tusla was his second of the day, with Rep. Greg Casar, D-Tx., and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Tx., scheduled to join him in Texas on Sunday. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., had previously joined Sanders on his Western swing of the tour. The Vermont senator also held a rally in House Speaker Mike Johnson's hometown of Shreveport, La.
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