Bernie Sanders says Trump ‘lied’ on Iran war, compares it to Vietnam and Iraq

Sanders warns of rising casualties and constitutional violations as US expands Iran conflict, urging immediate withdrawal
Bernie Sanders spoke against the Iran war during the 'No Kings' protest in Minnesota (AP Photo)
Bernie Sanders spoke against the Iran war during the 'No Kings' protest in Minnesota (AP Photo)


ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA: Sen. Bernie Sanders sharply criticised the Donald Trump administration over its military operation in Iran during his 'No Kings' speech on Saturday, March 28, denouncing the move as “unconstitutional.”

The operation, launched jointly with Israel on February 28, targeted Iran’s military and political leadership following the collapse of negotiations over its nuclear enrichment programme. Sanders’ remarks come as the conflict continues to expand, with the United States recently increasing its troop deployment in the region.

Demonstrators march through the Country Club Plaza shopping district during a
Demonstrators marched through the Country Club Plaza during a 'No Kings' protest in Kansas City, Missouri (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Bernie Sanders says Trump ‘lied’ on Iran war, compares it to Vietnam and Iraq

During his address, Sanders stated, "Now as the news literally of today reminds us, we have got to stop the out-of-control militarism of the Trump administration, whether it is here at home in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul or abroad."

He then accused the administration of misleading the American public, drawing parallels with past conflicts. He stated, “the American people were lied to about the war in Vietnam… lied to about the war in Iraq… and we are being lied to today about the war in Iran,” calling for the war to “end immediately.”

Sanders further criticised President Donald Trump, "In the last election, Donald Trump pointed out correctly the huge amounts of money that had been wasted in wars that should have been spent rebuilding America."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the
Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke during the 'No Kings' protest in St Paul, Minnesota (AP Photo/Tom Baker)

Sanders continued, "He campaigned as a peace candidate and he promised no more forever wars. He lied. One month ago, Trump and his partner, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, started a war with Iran."

He described the war as unconstitutional, stating, "Trump did not seek or receive authorization from Congress. This war is a violation of international law. One sovereign nation cannot simply go about attacking another sovereign nation for any reason it chooses."

Sanders also cited the human cost of the conflict, noting that 13 American soldiers had been killed and hundreds wounded since the war began. In Iran, he said, nearly 2,000 civilians had been killed, many more injured, and 498 schools bombed by American and Israeli missiles.

A thick plume of smoke rises from an oil storage facility hit by a U.S.-Israeli strike late Saturday in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Smoke rose from an oil storage facility after a US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) 

'No Kings' protests sweep US cities amid Iran war

Prior to his participation in the rally, Sanders posted on, “We will not accept authoritarianism. We will not accept oligarchy. And we will not accept a president who undermines the Constitution every single day.”

Large-scale protests against the Trump administration unfolded across the US, marking the third iteration of the 'No Kings' rallies, which organizers say have previously drawn millions. Demonstrators protested policies including the Iran war, federal immigration enforcement, and the rising cost of living.

Organizers stated, “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people - not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies.” In response, a White House spokesperson dismissed the demonstrations as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” adding that only reporters paid to cover them cared.

People hold a giant U.S. Constitution during a
Protesters held a giant US Constitution during a 'No Kings' rally in New York (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Protests took place in major cities including New York City, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. In DC, crowds marched through downtown areas, gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, and filled the National Mall.

Protesters displayed effigies of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials, calling for their ousting and arrest, while holding signs opposing the Iran war and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Meanwhile, the USS Tripoli, carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived in the Middle East as the Pentagon weighs its next steps.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Critics are arguing that Trump's remark about two Californian cities is evidence that he is mentally unfit to rule, prompting calls to invoke Section 4 of the amendment to remove him from office
1 hour ago
David Hearn’s attorneys want DOJ and Interior watchdogs to investigate a felony prosecution that ended after contractor errors emerged
1 hour ago
Kalshi is adding accuracy, liquidity and trade data disclosures as it heads into a high-stakes midterm cycle after a major Wisconsin miss
2 hours ago
Thomas Tillis said his biggest concern was Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and his decision to accept financial help from a Russian oligarch to fund his wedding
2 hours ago
A federal judge ruled that the federal government’s decision to impose fines on migrants was unlawful, writing that migrants in the “economically precarious position” of responding to the fines could be pushed into “insolvency”
4 hours ago
White House calls the spots public service announcements as watchdogs and lawmakers question whether federal rules permit the spending
4 hours ago
The president accuses Fox News of giving opposition candidates more airtime while demanding greater coverage of his Republican campaign events
5 hours ago
Trump once again called the consequences of the war with Iran a 'small price to pay for keeping the world safe,' adding that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego
6 hours ago
Ken Paxton adviser Nick Maddux said he was referring to super PACs, not Donald Trump, when discussing campaign control
14 hours ago
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin claimed Democrats know they have to 'change the demographics' to turn the US into 'a socialist country'
14 hours ago