Sen. James Lankford predicts Democrats would seek to impeach Trump over Iran strike

Sen. James Lankford says Democrats will try to impeach President Trump over his unilateral decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facility without congressional approval if they regain control of the House in the midterm elections.

The Oklahoma Republican said impeachment has become a go-to move for Democrats, who say Mr. Trump did not have the authority to launch a military strike against the Islamic Republic.

“If Democrats get control of Congress, we are most certainly headed towards impeachment, again,” Mr. Lankford said on “Fox News Sunday.” “That has been the playbook that they have played twice on President Trump.”

“So, certainly, if they get control of Congress in this next election, they will work towards impeachment,” he added.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Mr. Trump’s move is “absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” the New York Democrat posted on X. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.”

Rep. Sean Casten, Illinois Democrat, said “that no president has the authority to bomb another country that does not pose an imminent threat to the US without the approval of Congress.”

“This is an unambiguous impeachable offense,” Mr. Casten posted on X.

Mr. Trump and his allies say he had the legal authority to greenlight the attack on Iran’s three nuclear facilities.

Mr. Lankford said Mr. Trump has made it clear that he is not trying to start a war in the Middle East but is trying to “protect American lives around the world.”

Mr. Lankford said Iran has supported Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Shia militias that have been responsible for attacking Americans, including members of the military.

“We don’t want to go to war, but we are not going to allow you to attack us,” he said.