Republicans who moved away from Donald Trump, including his vice president during his first term, Mike Pence, endorsed his attack on Iran, which was codenamed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’. Even Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN, and the Republican leader who did not endorse Trump ahead of the 2024 election, praised Trump’s action against Iran — while the Make America Great Again group remained split over Trump’s decision to attack Iran. “Well done,” Nikki Haley wrote to the president’s announcement of completing a successful attack in Fordown, Nantanz and Esfahan in Iran.Mike Pence said Trump made the “right call” to deploy American forces to strike Iran’s nuclear sits and he should be commended for his decision leadership. “Iran could never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Thanks to the resolve of our Commander in Chief and the courage and professionalism of our Armed Forces, America, Israel and the Free World are safer as a result. Iran should now stand down and abandon any thought of retaliation against Americans or be prepared to face the consequences. Tonight President @realDonaldTrump proved again that the United States of America is the Leader of the Free World and America Stands with Israel. Thank You Mr. President and God Bless Our Troops,” Mike Pence posted.
‘This is not Constitutional’
Rep Thomas Massie (R-KY), who repeatedly urged Trump to avoid getting dragged into the Israel-Iran war, said the president’s bypassing the congressional authority to launch such military strikes was not Constitutional. Republican leader Marjorie Taylor Greene said the Israel-Iran war was not a US fight. “Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war. There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first. Israel is a nuclear-armed nation. This is not our fight. Peace is the answer,” MTG wrote.Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon, who played a crucial role in Trump’s Iran decision, was appalled by Trump’s post-strike thanking of Netanyahu. Bannon said Netanyahu is the last guy to thank.