Kaine, Warner criticize U.S. strikes on Iran; Youngkin backs Trump's actions

Democrats in Virginia’s congressional delegation faulted the president for acting without congressional backing or consultation, while Republicans supported the U.S. effort to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat.

Kaine, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, filed a resolution last week under the War Powers Act asserting that the U.S. should not be at war with Iran without congressional authorization.

“The United States should not be in an offensive war against Iran without a vote of Congress,” Kaine said Sunday in an appearance on the CBS program “Face the Nation.”

“The Constitution is completely clear on it, and I am so disappointed that the president has acted so prematurely.”

Kaine also took issue with a distinction Vice President J.D. Vance made in an interview with the NBC program “Meet the Press.” Vance said the U.S. was at war with Iran’s nuclear program and not with the nation.

“I think it’s B.S. and I think anybody hearing it would conclude the same thing,” Kaine said. “When you’re bombing another nation, ask them if they think it’s war. They do.”

Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement Saturday night: “President Trump came into office promising to ‘end the endless foreign wars.’

“Tonight, he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what’s at stake.”

Warner said Iran poses a serious threat to regional stability and that the U.S. must remain committed to Israel’s security and to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

“But launching direct military strikes without authorization from or consultation with Congress raises urgent questions,” Warner said in the statement. “What is the president’s objective? How is he measuring success? And what’s the plan to prevent this from dragging our country into another open-ended conflict in the Middle East that costs American lives and resources for years to come?”

Trump announced on social media Saturday night that the U.S. military hit three sites in Iran, aiding Israel ’s effort to take out or severely weaken Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

In televised remarks from the White House later Saturday night, Trump said: “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.”

Youngkin expressed support for the strikes, posting on X: “President Donald J. Trump meant what he has said over and over again: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Promises made, promises kept.”

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and whose district includes parts of Hanover, Chesterfield and Henrico counties, backed the president’s actions.

“The President was right — Iran refused to commit to nuclear disarmament. This was the right decision. America must secure peace through strength. God bless our servicemen and women in uniform — I am praying for their safe return.”

Rep. Jen McClellan, D-Richmond, whose district is based in Richmond, eastern Chesterfield and eastern Henrico, said in a statement that Trump’s “decision to launch air strikes on Iran without Congressional consultation or approval absent an imminent threat to the United States risks triggering a broader regional war that drags us deeper into an avoidable conflict with no clear strategy.”

Rep. John McGuire, R-5th, a former Navy SEAL who also serves on House Armed Services, represents a sprawling district that in the Richmond area includes western Hanover County and all of Louisa, Goochland and Powhatan counties. McGuire also supported the strikes.

“President Trump was clear: Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” McGuire wrote in a statement on X. “Iran is a state sponsor of terror and they have a history of killing U.S. service members and others around the world. This is a historic moment and future generations will not have to live with a nuclear armed Iran.”

Two other Virginia members of Congress with military backgrounds who could hold the delegation’s most competitive seats in 2026, took different views on the U.S. strikes.

Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, supported Trump’s decision.

“I support President Trump’s decision to bomb the three sites in Iran because Iran cannot have nuclear weapons,” Kiggans said in a post on X.

“Iran should heed the president’s warning to not retaliate against U.S. forces or U.S. citizens anywhere in the world. Peace through strength remains our goal.”

Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-7th, a 25-year U.S. Army veteran, criticized the president’s decision.

“And so the United States goes to war with Iran without so much as a by your leave to the American people,” Vindman said in a statement.

“No statement, other than on social media; no notice to Congress; no serious deliberation. This is the stuff of autocrats. Disgraceful.”

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-3rd, dean of Virginia’s congressional delegation, faulted what he called Trump’s “unilateral military action” against Iran.