Sen Chris Murphy slams 'corrupt president' Trump over Iran strikes: 'Nobody is asking for war'

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Sen Chris Murphy sharply criticized President Donald Trump over the ongoing US strikes against Iran, declaring that “nobody in this country is asking for war with Iran.”

Speaking on 'Face the Nation', Murphy accused the administration of diverting attention from domestic challenges while escalating a dangerous overseas conflict.

“This president is intentionally tanking our economy, he’s the most corrupt president in the history of our nation, and Americans want him to focus on the crises here at home,” Murphy said.

“Instead, he is busy getting us involved in quagmires overseas that are already becoming deadly to American soldiers,” he added.

Murphy described the military campaign in Iran as a “disaster.”

Congressional authority at the center of debate

Murphy emphasized that under the US Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war and argued that the president must seek authorization before expanding military operations.

“He wouldn’t get that authorization if he asked for it,” Murphy said. “Congress wouldn’t vote to give him permission to do it, but he’s obligated to come to Congress.”

The comments come as both the House and Senate prepare to vote this week on War Powers Resolutions aimed at blocking the president from using further military force against Iran without explicit congressional approval.

While the resolutions could pass with simple majorities, they are widely viewed as largely symbolic. 

Overriding a potential presidential veto would require two-thirds support in both chambers, a threshold that appears unlikely.

Retired General Frank McKenzie warns of escalation

Also appearing on 'Face the Nation', retired Gen Frank McKenzie, former commander of the United States Central Command, outlined what Americans should expect in the coming days.

“The American people should be prepared for several more days of exchanges of long-range rockets,” McKenzie said.

He described the next 72 to 96 hours as critical, saying the “essential calculus” will be whether US forces can significantly degrade Iran’s ability to launch missile volleys at American bases and allied cities in the region.

“That’s going to be a key thing to watch,” he said. McKenzie cautioned that even with years of contingency planning, further casualties might be unavoidable.

“CENTCOM has planned for this for years,” he said, referring to US Central Command’s operational readiness. “We’re probably going to take more casualties.”

“I hope we can certainly minimize those, and I know that our commanders in the region are doing everything they can to keep those numbers down,” he added.