Michigan Congressional Delegation divided on U . S .- Israel military operation against Iran

cbsnews.com · Mar 1, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

Full Article

By Nick Lentz, Veronica Ortega Updated on: February 28, 2026 / 11:35 PM EST / CBS Detroit Add CBS News on Google Members of Congress who represent Michigan are voicing a range of differing responses Saturday after the United States and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran.President Trump announced the assault, dubbed by the U.S. military as "Operation Epic Fury," in a video posted on Truth Social early on Saturday."A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran," Mr. Trump said in the video. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people."The president called on Iran's military forces to lay down their weapons or "face certain death."Israel's military reported multiple rounds of Iranian missile launches targeting the country, and at least two major U.S. military bases in the region were also targeted by Iranian missiles.Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan in a written statement Saturday morning that she has "no love lost" for the Iranian government but argues that Mr. Trump has yet to justify the attacks to the public."As a former CIA officer who served three tours in Iraq, I have no love lost for the Iranian government. They're a state sponsor of terror, responsible for the deaths of Americans. I saw it up close in Iraq and elsewhere," Slotkin said. "But issues of war and peace should be treated with the utmost consequence. And President Trump hasn't made his case to the American people. He hasn't laid out the goals or the imminent threat posed by Iran that justifies risking a wider regional war. And he hasn't followed the Constitution and brought this issue before Congress before committing our nation to war." She added that Congress should reconvene in Washington, D.C., to debate the strategic objectives and potential for a wider regional war.Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, said Mr. Trump is "risking American lives by dragging us into another 'war' in the Middle East" without approval from Congress."Our Constitution requires this check for a reason. The American people don't want to send their sons and daughters to another unjustified forever war across the world," Peters said. "Iran is a bad actor and we must ensure they never produce nuclear weapons. We had a diplomatic agreement with Iran on nuclear proliferation and President Trump withdrew during his first term without a plan for what comes next because he was playing petty politics."Republican Rep. John James, who represents Michigan's 10th Congressional District and is a U.S. Army veteran, said in a social media post that he "hates war," but said that America is worth fighting for. "The Iranian regime's decades of terror—costing American soldiers and innocents life and limb—must be answered for," James said. "Appeasement invites war; their threats to America must end."Rep. Tim Walberg, D-Michigan's 5th Congressional District, called the operation "decisive and strategic.""President Trump sought repeatedly to make a deal with the Iranian regime, which has continued to be a destabilizing force in the Middle East," Walberg said in a written statement.Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan's 12th Congressional District, condemned the action taken Saturday by the Trump administration."The American people do not want a war with Iran," Tlaib said. "Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of the American political elite and the Israeli apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No More Wars."She called on Congress to "stop the bloodshed immediately" and exert its war powers to stop the president's actions. Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan's 11th Congressional District said in a written statement that Mr. Trump has "once again" put Americans in harm's way without consulting Congress. "For decades, Iran's state sponsorship of terror across the globe has led to chaos and unchecked violence. We cannot ignore that an armed and nuclear Iran would bring even more violence and chaos to the Middle East and the entire world," Stevens said. "We also cannot ignore the imperative to achieve freedom for the people of Iran, who have bravely spoken out through protest in recent weeks."Stevens called for the White House and Congress to work with allies to achieve peace in the Middle East, stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and end the country's support for terrorist proxies.Other lawmakers from around the U.S. are also divided on the military strikes. House Speaker Mike Johnson said "Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions."Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home." Southeast Michigan officials reactAt the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi said he was heartbroken when he heard the news coming out of the Middle East early Saturday morning."We condemn what is going on. It's an aggression on the Iranian people," Elahi said.Saturday marks the second time in eight months the religious leader has weighed in on the Trump administration's actions in Iran. "He was talking about, 'Well, we are against Iran became a nuclear power.' But at the same time, he said he destroyed nuclear power just months back last year, so there is no enrichment. So what is the excuse? How can you justify this aggression?" Elahi said.Mike Khodadost, the president of the Iranian American Cultural Society of Michigan, said that while the group is in favor of regime change, "We want regime change by Iranian people inside Iran and the well-organized resistance."The group doesn't support interference from foreign countries."We don't want this military action on Iran, you know, as we don't want innocent people die at this situation that we have," Khodadost said.Elahi says Mr. Trump has broken his promise to the American people."He promised to bring peace and promised to end the endless wars, but he is doing opposite. He is starting new wars," he said. "While he is chairing the 'Board of Peace,' now he is chairing a board of war. A war that is illegal, immoral. It is both against the American law and international law. It's not authorized by Congress."Elahi added that he's praying for an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomacy. "He (Trump) promised to put America first. And what is going on now is not only a crime against Iranian people, it is a crime against American interest, American integrity, American image, America as a nation. So, he is embarrassing us all over the world," he said.Harris criticizes attack while in DetroitFormer Vice President Kamala Harris denounced the Trump administration's military operation while visiting Detroit on Saturday afternoon.Harris has been in the city since Friday promoting her new book. She spoke to media members before joining Mayor Mary Sheffield at Trap Vegan on Saturday for a planned event with the community."Donald Trump has dragged us into a war the American people do not want. He has put American troops in harm's way. I unequivocally oppose this war of choice, and everyone should," she said.Harris lost to Mr. Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Kerry Breen contributed to this report. In: United States Congress Iran Michigan