Democratic Senator Breaks Ranks to Support Trump's Iran Military Operation
In a notable departure from typical partisan lines, Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator John Fetterman has publicly endorsed President Donald Trump's decision to launch strikes against Iran over the weekend. Appearing on Fox & Friends on Saturday, February 28th, Fetterman offered robust support for the military action targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
Fetterman's Justification for Supporting Military Action
"You can put out tweets and statements to support peace. But to create real peace, you have to do these kinds of actions," Fetterman declared, specifically referencing Operation Midnight Hammer from June of the previous year, which reportedly eliminated Iran's nuclear capabilities. "Sometimes peace is possible after these kinds of steps, that's why I support those things."
The senator emphasized that despite being a Democrat, he believed the President was "absolutely correct" in authorising these strikes. "Now we have Israel's back. That is why it is entirely a path for peace in that region," Fetterman added, aligning his position with his consistent support for Israel, which has often placed him at odds with more progressive members of his party.
Constitutional Controversy and Republican Criticism
The administration's decision did not seek formal congressional approval, a constitutional prerequisite for declaring war. This prompted criticism from Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who condemned what he called "acts of war unauthorized by Congress" in a post on X following Trump's video address.
Fetterman dismissed Massie's concerns as "bizarre," arguing that while it is illegal for a President to start a war without congressional approval, the specific actions taken were justified. "I might be a Democrat, but in this specific case, the President is absolutely correct to do these kinds of actions," he reiterated.
Details of the Strikes and Damage Assessment
The strikes, conducted jointly by Israel and the U.S., targeted multiple locations within Iran:
- Satellite imagery from Airbus revealed significant damage to structures within the secured complex associated with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
- Israeli military footage showed strikes on Iranian troops preparing missiles, reportedly knocking out several launchers and hitting Iran's missile unit.
- Visual reports from Tehran depicted plumes of smoke rising following explosions on February 28, 2026.
Bipartisan Praise and Strategic Alignment
Fetterman also commended South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's perspective on the operation. "I listen to my colleague from South Carolina earlier, I even had the option to talk to him before the State of the Union speech as well," Fetterman noted.
Graham, once a Trump critic turned key ally, expressed being "in awe of President Trump's determination to be a man of peace, but at the end of the day, evil's worst nightmare." He added, "Well done, Mr. President," and described the operation as "well planned" in his social media post. Graham, seen at the White House recently, has been a principal adviser on Iran strategy.
This stance continues Fetterman's pattern of occasionally supporting GOP-led policies, such as stricter immigration enforcement, further distinguishing him from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
