Democratic candidate for Congress Mac Deford issued the following statement today in response to President Trump’s decision to initiate major U.S. military operations in Iran:
“President Trump has now initiated major military operations in Iran, putting American service members directly in harm’s way and raising the risk of a wider regional war.
“Let me be clear: our men and women in uniform are not props for Donald Trump’s recklessness. The President has taken this nation into a major military conflict without proper congressional authorization, which is a grave abuse of power as well as a dangerous act of escalation. Strength is not recklessness, and the Constitution is not optional.
“And Congress has no excuse for lying down while this happens. The power to declare war belongs to the people’s representatives. If members of Congress are unwilling to defend that responsibility while American troops are being placed at risk, then they are failing in their duty to both our service members and the country.
“I support the defense of the United States, the protection of our allies, and firm action against real threats posed by the Iranian regime. But serious leadership requires discipline, lawful authority, and a clear strategy. The American people should never be dragged toward another open-ended conflict by the impulses of one man.
“South Carolinians understand service. We understand sacrifice. And we understand that when a President puts American lives on the line, there must be accountability, constitutional restraint, and a clear answer for why our troops are being asked to bear that burden.”