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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, in a lengthy post on X criticized the Trump administration for its "head-spinning" decision, along with Israel, to strike Iran on Saturday, calling it a "betrayal" of President Donald Trump's "America First" promises.
"We thought the victory won in 2024 would be finally time to put America First," the former congresswoman wrote. "And we thought that meant the common American man and woman and their children. Not the elites. America has suffered and they don't even care."
"Create the crisis and the solution simultaneously and then build condos to profit. MAGA!" she added.
Read More on Politics
Essential reading: Donald Trump Faces 'Epic Fury' From MAGA Over Iran
Why It Matters
The United States and Israel said they carried out coordinated attacks on Iranian military and strategic targets early Saturday, with officials describing the action as a pre‑emptive operation. Explosions were reported in Tehran amid what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and U.S. military described as strikes against sites they said posed threats to their security.
On Saturday, Trump warned Iranians to take shelter, saying in a video message, "Bombs will be dropping everywhere."
Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed the country had begun responding to the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, saying its armed forces had "commenced a decisive response to these hostile acts." The country's foreign ministry also said it would "not hesitate" in its response to the attacks.
The IDF said Iran was continuing to launch a “barrage of missiles” toward Israel, triggering air‑raid sirens and activating nationwide air defenses. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been transferred to a secure location, according to Reuters.
What To Know
In her X post on Saturday, Greene, who was once an ally to the president, accused Trump of going back on his campaign promises, saying that "it's always a lie and always America Last."
"But it feels like the worst betrayal this time because it comes from the very man and the admin who we all believed was different and said no more," Greene wrote, adding, "Instead, we get a war with Iran on behalf of Israel that will succeed in regime in Iran. Another foreign war for foreign people for foreign regime change. For what?"
"Does it lower our inflation that our government caused? Caused by BOTH Democrats AND Republicans with their decades of corrupt government spending that has enslaved us all in nearly $40 Trillion in debt and reduced the value of our dollar to nothing. No, war with Iran does not lower inflation and make cost of living affordable," she wrote.
"Does war with Iran fix our healthcare system and make health insurance affordable for Americans?? No war with Iran does not do that and the MAGA admin and Republicans aren’t even working on it in any serious way at all," she added.
"Does war with Iran do anything to help American families stay together and survive? No, not at all. But within hours of war with Iran it was reported approximately 40 innocent girls, school children, in Iran were killed by bombs from Israel," she continued.
And they don’t care, they killed thousands of innocent children in Gaza, and apparently our Pro-Peace administration doesn’t care either. And, since they won’t solve America’s problems clearly they don’t care about our kids either. Now, America is going to be force fed and gas lighted all the “noble” reasons the American “Peace” President and Pro-Peace administration had to go to war once again this year, after being in power for only a year."
...
Why Did Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Fall Out?
Once one of Trump’s closest allies, Greene’s departure from Congress earlier this year follows a public and bitter split with him over key issues like foreign policy. Her departure further narrowed an already thin majority for House Republicans.
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Greene was the first Republican to call Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, which Israel has denied, and has continued to urge her colleagues to support an end to supplying arms to Israel.
During an interview with the Daily Mail in August, she accused the party of treating women poorly, and said she was “really sick and tired” of the treatment and that she wasn’t sure “if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if I’m kind of not relating to the Republican Party as much anymore.”
What People Are Saying
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, on X: "I am opposed to this War. This is not “America First.” When Congress reconvenes, I will work with [Representative Ro Khanna] to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, on X, in part: "The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy."
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, on X, in part: "The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely. Madison wrote that 'the Executive Branch is the branch most prone to war, therefore, the Constitution, with studied care, delegated the war power to the legislature.' As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war."
Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on X: "Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel."
Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, on X, in part: "The United States has the most capable military in the world. I have complete confidence in our service members, and I’m praying for their safety. The question is never whether they can do the mission. It’s whether the mission makes sense and makes us safer—and what it’s going to cost. The Iranian people deserve freedom. They deserve the right to choose their own leaders. So, what's the plan for what comes next? I don’t think Donald Trump knows the answer, and that’s dangerous when American lives are on the line."
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul on X: "Trump is now the “neocon” that he has ridiculed for all of his public life. Trump has just openly called for regime change in Iran. He is using the American armed forces to facilitate that outcome. This is a complete reversal of what he has been promising his supporters for decades."
Update 2/28/26, 11:04 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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