Conflicts in the Middle East are heating up. The Trump admin is working around the clock.
And Trump’s Secretary of Defense has made a massive war declaration announcement.
Trump Admin Officials Waiting For President’s Signal On Iran
President Donald Trump’s administration is navigating a high-stakes standoff with Iran, showcasing a resolute commitment to preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, affirmed the Pentagon’s readiness to execute Trump’s directives on Iran while emphasizing a deliberate approach to advising the president on available options.
Hegseth, alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, told the Senate panel that Iran missed a critical opportunity to negotiate with the United States last week. “My job, our job, Chairman … at all times is to make sure … the president has options and is informed of what those options might be and what the ramifications of what those options might be,” Hegseth said.
Trump himself has kept the world guessing, maintaining flexibility in his approach to the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said, “I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven’t made a final — I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war, things change with war. It can go from one extreme to the other.” This calculated unpredictability reinforces his reputation as a leader who keeps adversaries off balance while prioritizing American interests.
The president’s resolve was evident in his Tuesday ultimatum to Iran, where he warned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating he would not target him “for now” but knew his whereabouts. This measured yet firm stance demonstrates Trump’s willingness to project strength while leaving room for diplomacy, a hallmark of his foreign policy approach. On Wednesday, he reiterated that no final decision had been made.
Trump’s support for Israel remains unwavering, as he encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “keep going” in the fight against Iran. He also decried the media’s treatment of Netanyahu, saying the Israeli leader is being “very unfairly” portrayed. This alignment with Israel adds to the administration’s commitment to countering Iran’s regional ambitions, particularly its nuclear aspirations, which Trump has repeatedly declared unacceptable.
Iran, however, has defied calls to capitulate, with its embassy asserting, “no Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House.” The regime’s bellicose rhetoric, including threats of “all-out war” in response to any U.S. attack, only heightens the urgency of the administration’s efforts to neutralize the nuclear threat. Tehran’s intransigence validates the Trump administration’s skepticism of past diplomatic overtures.
On Capitol Hill, the debate over war powers has intensified, with competing resolutions in the Senate and House aiming to curb Trump’s authority to use force against Iran without congressional approval. These measures, designed to reassert Congress’ constitutional role, have sparked division among lawmakers. Some argue that supporting Israel’s mission to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program justifies swift executive action, while others demand legislative oversight.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a vocal advocate for congressional authority, told Fox News Digital, “The Constitution says the prerogative to declare war, the power to declare war, is solely from the Congress. It can’t originate from the White House. There is no constitutional authority for the president to bomb anyone without asking permission first.”
The Constitution indeed splits war powers, granting Congress the sole authority to declare war while designating the president as commander in chief. The War Powers Act of 1973 further complicates this dynamic, requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of troop deployments, which are limited to 60 days without further authorization. Notably, Congress has not declared war since World War II, leaving room for executive latitude in modern conflicts.
Paul doubled down, saying, “There’s really no argument for why he couldn’t obey the Constitution. Now, my hope is that he won’t do it, his instincts for restraint would prevail.” His remarks contrast with the administration’s view that decisive action may be necessary to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold, a scenario Trump has vowed to thwart.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., offered a counterpoint, acknowledging the “mixed” and “clouded” nature of the War Powers Act but affirming Trump’s authority to act. “It’s clear that both Congress and the president have a role to play,” Kennedy said. “But if you’re suggesting, should the president come to Congress first making that decision, it’s conditioned upon what year you want Congress to make a decision. Sometimes it takes us months, even years, to get nothing done.” His pragmatism aligns with the administration’s need for agility in confronting Iran.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., echoed this sentiment, telling reporters that Trump was “perfectly in his right to do what he’s done so far” and emphasizing the shared goal of stopping Iran’s nuclear program. Thune’s support bolsters the administration’s position that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran justifies strong executive leadership.
An unexpected ally emerged in Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who broke ranks with his party’s hesitancy on Israel. Fetterman told Fox News Digital that targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities was not “starting a war” but a “necessary military … exercise to destroy a nuclear facility.” His stance aligns with the administration’s view that precise strikes could neutralize the threat without escalating into full conflict.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., further downplayed concerns about the War Powers Act, noting its constitutionality remains untested. “I think it’s pretty much an irrelevant point if President Trump decides to aid Israel with some military action with those bunker-busting bombs,” Johnson said. His confidence in Trump’s authority reflects the administration’s readiness to assist Israel in targeting fortified sites like the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
Israel’s efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have yielded partial success, but the heavily fortified Fordow facility remains a challenge. U.S. assistance, potentially involving advanced munitions, could prove decisive, reinforcing the Trump administration’s commitment to its ally and its hardline stance against Iran.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who introduced a war powers resolution, argued that its urgency has grown as tensions escalate. Kaine told Fox News Digital that some Republicans “very much want to be in the middle of hostilities with Iran” but avoid seeking war authorization to sidestep political backlash. “They think it will, but it won’t,” Kaine said, dismissing their attempts to shift responsibility to Trump.
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