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By Andrew Stanton
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President Donald Trump is facing impeachment calls after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in a military operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury early Saturday morning, a major escalation of tensions between the two countries.
A White House spokesperson responded to impeachment calls in a statement to Newsweek.
“Prior to ever holding office, President Trump has been consistent: lran can never possess a nuclear weapon...President Trump is taking decisive action to eliminate major national security threats to the American people, which past Presidents have talked about for 47 years, but only this President had the courage to accomplish,” the official wrote.
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Why It Matters
The military action followed talks between the U.S. and Iran to address Iran’s nuclear program. Iran had declined to halt uranium enrichment, a major demand from the U.S. The strikes have continued in the days since and killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
At least four U.S. service members have died. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said on Monday that 555 people have been killed in Iran in the days following the attacks. The conflict has spread across the Middle East, as Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on Israel and Gulf Arab allies hosting U.S. forces, including bases in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
What To Know
The conflict has political implications for Trump at home as he faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over the strikes. Critics have called for his impeachment, raising concerns about the legality of the operation because he did not have congressional approval to attack Iran.
“Impeach Trump,” posted Keith Edwards, a Democratic strategist and commentator, on X.
Matt Stoller, a researcher at the American Economic Liberties Project, wrote on X, “The President can’t just launch a war. There are some grey lines around force but this attack has crossed every one of them. It’s unconstitutional and a high crime or misdemeanor. Just impeach Trump already.”
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Kat Abughazaleh, a journalist running for Congress in Illinois’ 8th District, posted on Bluesky, “The morally bankrupt Trump administration has partnered with another morally bankrupt authoritarian to declare an unprovoked war on Iran, already killing scores of civilians. We need an immediate vote from Congress on a War Powers Resolution. Then articles of impeachment.”
“IMPEACH TRUMP THEN LOCK HIM UP!!!” posted Kyle Kulinski, host of Secular Talk, on X.
Whether any members of Congress planned to file articles of impeachment remained uncertain.
Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, filed articles of impeachment after Trump ordered strikes against Iran in June 2025. Those articles focused on “bypassing Congress on war with Iran,” his office wrote in a statement at the time.
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, and Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, have been pushing for a War Powers Resolution to prevent the president from starting a war without congressional approval.
How Does the American Public Feel About Iran Conflict? What Polls Show
A March 1 poll from YouGov of 2,142 adults shows that 40 percent of Americans believe the strikes were illegal, with 30 percent saying they view the action as legal under U.S. law.
Forty-five percent oppose using U.S. military force to attack Iran, compared with 36 percent who are in support of the action.
Thirty-two percent believe the Trump administration has been honest about its account of Iran’s nuclear weapons, while 44 percent believe the administration has been dishonest. That poll was surveyed among 1,621 adults on February 28.
Why Did the U.S. Attack Iran?
Trump said the strikes were intended to crush Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and urged Iranians to overthrow their leaders once the operation ends, telling them to “take over your government.”
In a speech announcing the attack on Saturday, Trump said, "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime....its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.”
“It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why, in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” he said.
He warned Iranians that “it’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” but once the operation is finished, “take over your government. It will be yours to take.”
Iran Conflict: The Latest
Monday morning, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran would not lead to an "endless" war as the conflict widened in the Middle East.
“This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better, and so does this president,” Hegseth said at the Pentagon.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Monday that a fourth service member had died since the operation began. Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster reported that the wife of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khojasteh Bagherzadel had died from injuries sustained in the strike that killed her husband. Iranian cleric Alireza Arafi, who has been made a member of Iran’s temporary leadership council, said a new leader of Iran would be appointed soon.
Iran has launched attacks on other countries in the region. On Monday, Cyprus intercepted drones headed toward the British RAF Akrotiri military base.
Many flights to the region have been canceled amid the fighting. The U.S. State Department has issued new travel advisories for citizens, urging Americans to reconsider travel amid the threat of conflict. At home, oil prices have jumped amid the conflict. The Associated Press reported that oil prices traded at 7.6 percent higher on Monday, meaning motorists and individuals using oil to heat their homes may expect to pay more.
What People Are Saying
A White House spokesperson in a statement to Newsweek: “Prior to ever holding office, President Trump has been consistent: lran can never possess a nuclear weapon. The President’s first instinct is always diplomacy, and his representatives worked extensively, and in good faith, to make a deal that would ensure that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities posed no threat to our homeland. The administration warned Iran that there would be dire consequences if they failed to make a deal. Unfortunately, the Iranian regime refused to engage realistically with the United States. As a result, President Trump is taking decisive action to eliminate major national security threats to the American people, which past Presidents have talked about for 47 years, but only this President had the courage to accomplish.”
Journalist Margaret Kimberly wrote on X: “Has any member of congress called for Trump to be impeached? If they claim he should have asked permission before starting a war but aren't committed to filing articles of impeachment they are engaging in political theater.”
Mike Hersh and Alan Minsky of the Progressive Democrats of America wrote in an opinion article published in Common Dreams: “Therefore, PDA demands that all members of Congress, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike, uphold their oath of office to defend our constitutional republic. The Constitution offers one and only one remedy when President a repeatedly breaks the law and arrogantly refuses to abide by the limits on the power clearly laid out in the Constitution. That remedy is impeachment, followed by removal from office.”
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday, in part: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote on X: “For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory, and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies. Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats.”
What Happens Next
Impeachment faces tough odds in Congress, as Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate. But if Democrats reclaim control of the House in the November 2026 midterm elections, it could be on the table. Kalshi betting odds show only a 12 percent chance of impeachment this year, but a 66 percent chance by January 1, 2028.
Update 3/2/26, 12:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a White House statement.
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