US senator slams Trump: Iran war is illegal
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (YPA) – US Senator Chris Van Hollen launched a scathing critique against the administration of President Donald Trump, asserting that the war with Iran has exposed the stark limits of American power while simultaneously sparking a constitutional crisis over war powers and Congress’s authority.
“Trump has completely torn apart the provisions of the US Constitution,” he said, stressing that the White House had failed to comply with congressional measures concerning its war powers over Iran.
In an interview with Responsible Statecraft, which described Van Hollen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, the senator stressed that the war on Iran is illegal.
Regarding congressional decisions on the war, Van Hollen called for an end to its financial support and urged Congress not to approve the administration’s request for additional funding of around $70 billion.
He argued that providing the funds would amount to implicit congressional approval of the war’s continuation.
Van Hollen also acknowledged the decline of U.S. global dominance, saying, “We have seen the continued rise of other powers, with China being the most significant,” amid what he described as Washington’s failure to recognize the limits of its power.
He said Trump, as with Venezuela, appeared to believe that “in a short period of time, he can do whatever he wants anywhere in the world,” adding that Washington needs to reassess its military presence around the globe.
“We’ve seen the ongoing rise of other powers, China being the biggest one,” Van Hollen said.
Regarding US support for “Israel,” Van Hollen noted a growing consensus that American taxpayers should no longer provide unconditional financial aid to the Israeli government.
He argued that any further supplies of offensive weapons must be strictly tied to an agreed-upon timetable for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.
Reflecting on the war in Gaza since October 2023, Van Hollen added that “providing a blank check to the Netanyahu government is undermining our security in the region and undermining our position around the world.”
@E.Y.M