US attacks on Iran: ‘Well done’, Donald Trump gets praise from Republicans, sole Democrat John Fetterman

Republicans in Congress and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, breaking from other Democrats, praised United States President Donald Trump after multiple strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, calling the decision “courageous” and “necessary”. 

Jocelyn Fernandes
Updated22 Jun 2025, 08:02 AM IST
US-Iran war: File photo of Senator John Fetterman on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Breaking from other Democrats, he has joined Congressional Republicans in praising US President Donald Trump for the strikes on Iran as courageous.
US-Iran war: File photo of Senator John Fetterman on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Breaking from other Democrats, he has joined Congressional Republicans in praising US President Donald Trump for the strikes on Iran as courageous.(Photo by Andrew Harnik / Getty Images via AFP)

US-Iran war updates: United States President Donald Trump has recieved “immediate praise” from Republicans in Congress and at least one Democrat, for bombing three nuclear sites in Iran.

Dissenting from his fellow party-mates, Pennsylvania's Democract Senator John Fetterman, joined Republicans in praising Donald Trump for joining Israel's offensive against Iran, according to an AP report.

The report noted that these quick endorsements came after Donald Trump “publicly mulled” action in the middle-east and many Republicans said they trusted he would “make the right decision”.

Also Read | Iran-Israel war LIVE Updates: Trump warns of ‘either peace or tragedy for Iran’

Republicans line up to praise Trump: ‘Well done, courageous, America first…’

Sources told AP that House Speaker and Louisiana Senator (Republican) Mike Johnson, was briefed ahead of the strikes on June 21. In a statement, he said these military operations “should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, and Arkansas Senator (Republican), said he had also been in touch with the White House and “I am grateful to the US servicemembers who carried out these precise and successful strikes.”

Also Read | PM Netanyahu says 'President Trump, I Thank You' after US strikes Iran

Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), South Carolina's Republican Senator Lindsey Graham wrote: “Well done, President Trump”, adding that it was the “right call”.

Further, Senator John Cornyn, the Republican rep of Texas called the US military bombing three sites in Iran a “courageous and correct decision”. adding: “this is what leadership on the world stage looks like”.

And Alabama Senator Katie Britt, also Republican, called the bombings “strong and surgical”; while Oklahoma's Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin posted: “America first, always.”

Also Read | US strikes Iran: Trump warns of attacking ‘other targets’ with precision

Also, Roger Wicker, Republican Mississippi Senator and Chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) called it a “deliberate and correct decision”, adding that the US has “very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies”.

Democrat John Fetterman joins praise wagon: ‘Correct move’

Till time of writing, John Fetterman, Democratic Senator of Pennsylvania, was the sole party member to lend his approval to the attacks. He has been an outspoken supporter of Israel as well.

“As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move,” he posted, adding that Iran can't have nuclear capabilites and “is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism”.

Both Democrats and Republicans have been split over striking Iran over the past few days after Israel first dropped bombs on the country.

Also Read | US bombs Iran: ‘Mr President, you started it, we will finish it,’ says TV host

‘Not Constitutional’, say Democrats, Republican Thomas Massie

Kentucky Republican Senator Thomas Massie, who has long been opposed to US involvement in foreign wars, also posted his dissent from party members on X, stating simply: “This is not Constitutional.”

Many Democrats have maintained that Congress should have a say. The Senate was scheduled to vote as soon as this week on a resolution by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine requiring congressional approval before the US declared war on Iran or took specific military action.

Connecticut Senator Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, posted on X after Donald Trump’s announcement: “According to the Constitution we are both sworn to defend, my attention to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full stop.”

(With inputs from AP)

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