TRUMP’S CORRUPTION: ILLEGALLY WAGING WAR AGAINST IRAN TO DIVERT OUR ATTENTION FROM HIS DISASTROUS DOMESTIC POLICIES
QUICK READ: Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—orders other people’s children to risk their lives in a regime change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars, Congress has not approved, and 75% of Americans oppose. Congress must immediately reassert its Article I authority to halt this idiocy, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
On Saturday morning, Americans awoke to the chilling news that the U.S and Israel had launched “major combat operations” against Iran, dragging us into an unauthorized, catastrophic regional war in which he expected Americans to die.
Trump’s misadventure’s already cost American taxpayers billions, and each day many millions more are spent on this senseless war, which has already resulted in the deaths of at least 6 American service members and untold numbers of civilians in the region.
Under our Constitution, however, only Congress—the people’s representative—has the power to send Americans to war and to authorize American taxpayers to foot the bill. Unfortunately, Congress’ failure to assert its war powers when Trump invaded Venezuela gave him a carte blanche in Iran.
Trump’s provided no plan or off ramp for his illegal war, just flimsy or untrue justifications. There’s no evidence Iran poses an imminent threat, has long-range ballistic missiles capable of attacking us, restarted its nuclear program—which Trump claimed to have “obliterated” in 2025—or interfered in in our elections. Nor can “regime change,” which violates the UN Charter, justify this war, since our own intelligence suggests the new leaders would be even more unfriendly.
Trump’s war has less to do with Iran than with his need for a lethal distraction from the Epstein scandal, his inhumane mass deportation, his Presidency’s broader failures, and a “national security” reason to cancel the midterm elections.
Congress must step in before even more lives are lost to this illegal war and it becomes an uncontrollable regional conflict
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President's war powers. Your constituents will be watching you.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers. Your constituents will be watching you.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
Oregon City office: 503-387-8651 |DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump’s illegal declaration of war against Iran—all to take our minds off his disastrous, unpopular domestic policies—puts American service members at risk in an extremely unpopular regime-change war that is already costing taxpayers billions of dollars Congress can better use to provide Americans with the services they need. You must immediately reassert your Article I authority to halt Trump’s unconstitutional abuse of power, which has already killed American service members and thousands of innocent civilians, before it spirals into regional chaos. Towards this end, I urge you to Support the Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the President’s war powers.
FURTHER READING
This is Not How Democracies Go to War. It’s How Dictators Do
Just a quarter of Americans back Iran strikes: Poll
The Dollars and Cents of Military Action Against Iran
U.S. Military Death Toll Rises to 6
BREAKING: US and Israel Illegally Attack Iran
U.S. Military in the Middle East: Numbers Behind Trump’s Threats Against Iran
Trump’s Iran Attack was Illegal, Former U.S. Military Officials Allege
Trump Launches another Illegal War
In Trump’s Case for War, a Series of False or Unproven Claims
I Want Iran to Be Free More Than Anything. I Also Don’t Trust Trump
Trump’s Dumb War Is a Test Democrats Must Not Fail
Iran Prepared for an Existential War. How Much Are Trump, and Israel Willing to Gamble?
