Schakowsky opposes Iran military strike, escalation of conflict in public statement
January 6, 2020
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) declared her opposition to President Donald Trump’s actions in Iran in a statement released Jan. 3.
The statement responded to the military drone strike in Baghdad on Friday morning that killed Qassem Soleimani, a top military general in Iran. Trump ordered the strike without congressional authorization after he said Soleimani was planning “imminent and sinister attacks” that required immediate action.
Trump formally notified Congress on Saturday of his orders under the War Powers Act, which requires the president to inform Congress of any hostile actions within 48 hours of the event.
“This reckless action by President Trump has put our country on the brink of war with Iran,” Schakowsky said in her statement.
She cited the United States’ withdrawal from its 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran as a previous indicator of increased tensions in the region, and said she was concerned about the potential cost of more conflict in the region.
Schakowsky ended her statement with a call to action, asking Trump and Congress to work together to defuse the situation.
“Americans must demand that President Trump deescalate tensions with Iran — coordinate with Congress, and our allies around the world — and work toward peace,” she said.
Since Schakowsky’s statement, Trump has responded to threats of Iranian retaliation, saying the United States has targeted 52 locations within Iran that it will strike if the country decides to pursue revenge.
Iran has also announced that it will not follow any of the previous terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement that Trump left.
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Twitter: @jacobnfulton1