Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) condemns Donald Trump and the Trump Administration, as well as their enablers in Congress, the media, and elsewhere for launching and supporting a reckless, illegal, unprovoked, and unconstitutional war on Iran over the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Last June, Progressive Democrats of America issued a press release denouncing Trump\u2019s bombing of Iran because it posed risks of \u201cspiraling into a regional or even global conflict that could shatter fragile economies and displace millions.\u201d Trump\u2019s unprovoked war on Iran is now confirming our worst fears.<\/p>\n
This war is already inflicting significant humanitarian suffering, causing chaotic economic disruption, and risking grave damage to the international order.<\/p>\n
The War on Iran has also precipitated a constitutional crisis, attacking the foundational principles of our democratic republic by blatantly violating the separation of powers. It also violates the War Powers Resolution of 1973.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Constitution vests in Congress the sole authority to declare war (Article I, Section 8). Members of both parties have already acknowledged that Trump\u2019s war against Iran without prior authorization from Congress is unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
Senator Jeff Merkley, (D-Oregon), a veteran member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said this war \u201cshreds our Constitution, which assigns decisions of war to Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Ro Khanna (D-California) called the war \u201cblatantly unconstitutional.\u201d Rep. Khanna co\u2011authored a bipartisan War Powers Resolution that would restrain Trump from launching such illegal, immoral, and reckless military operations.<\/p>\n
Representative Thomas Massie (R- Kentucky) described Trump\u2019s attacks as \u201cacts of war unauthorized by Congress.\u201d He is also leading the effort for the War Powers Resolution.<\/p>\n
Senators Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) sponsored a similar Resolution. Sadly, Republican congressional leaders continue to block Rep. Khanna\u2019s and his colleagues\u2019 efforts to enact a War Powers Resolution in the House.<\/p>\n
This unconstitutional, illegal war continues an alarming pattern of the Trump regime\u2019s contempt for the Constitution, Congress, U.S. law, and international norms, as well as basic ethics and morality. Trump has previously ordered illegal attacks against Iran and Venezuela without lawful authorization.<\/p>\n
The Trump administration has routinely trampled basic human and civil rights through violent, even deadly operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting U.S. citizens and lawful residents. We cannot tolerate fascistic policies including fatal shootings, abusive raids, indefinite detentions, and family separations.<\/p>\n
Trump, his Department of Justice, and other appointees have escalated their contempt for Congress and the constitutional separation of powers by publicly attacking members of Congress during hearings, by stonewalling and ignoring subpoenas, and by defying oversight powers, and by implementing illegal orders and lawless policies.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s illegal war on Iran and the rule of law establish an intolerable pattern of egregious abuses of power, directly threatening our constitutional order, our safety, and our way of life. These intertwined crises cry out for an immediate, decisive response by the Congress and the U.S. public.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
To effectuate that, PDA calls upon its hundred of thousands of supporters across the contry – as well as every American who wants to preserve our constitutional democratic republic – to contact their Senators and Representatives by phone, email, social media, and in\u2011person visits to demand two things: 1. An immediate end to the War on Iran, and 2. The initiation of impeachment proceedings against Trump and all complicit Trump Administration officials.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, PDA urges organizations and individuals across the country to launch protests and other forms of nonviolent civil disobedience to demand an end to the war. These could include boycotts, or a refusal to purchase any non\u2011essential goods and services, or some form of intentional non-participation, or any other lawful means until all U.S. military operations against Iran cease and Congress initiates efforts to remove all lawless Trump officials from power.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s illegal, unconstitutional war on Iran is not only a moral and humanitarian disaster, but also a profound constitutional crisis. The Congress and the American people must oppose, rebuke, and punish Trump and all those complicit in the Trump Administration\u2019s escalating attacks on our liberty, our Constitution, and the rule of law. We the People must not fail to meet this crisis. This latest precedent of unchecked abuse of power imperils our democracy, potentially fatally. We can and must overcome these clear and present threats to our lives, liberty, and way of life.<\/p>\n
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Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and U.S. politics by working inside and outside the party; electing progressives while building the progressive movement in solidarity with peace, justice, civil rights, environmental, and other reform efforts. For more information, please visit https:\/\/PDAmerica.org<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>