A fierce political battle has erupted within the Republican Party, with President Donald Trump launching a scathing attack on Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie following Massie’s vocal criticism of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump, known for his firm grip on the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, has threatened to actively campaign against Massie in the upcoming Republican primary.
The controversy began on Saturday, when the U.S. military announced successful strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan – amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran war.
READ: MSNBC Scarborough Shocker: “Any President” Would Have Hit Iran, Says Morning Joe Host
Almost immediately, Rep. Massie took to X to declare the military operation “not Constitutional.” He further elaborated on CBS’s “Face the Nation” the following day, stating it was “a good week for the neocons and the military-industrial complex, who want war all the time,” and asserted that his “side of the MAGA base” consists of “non-interventionists” who are “tired from all these wars.”
Trump swiftly retaliated on Truth Social Sunday, disputing Massie’s claim of being “MAGA.”
“Actually, MAGA doesn’t want him, doesn’t know him, and doesn’t respect him,” Trump wrote, labeling Massie a “negative force who almost always Votes ‘NO,’ no matter how good something may be.” He went on to call the seven-term lawmaker a “lightweight” and “weak and ineffective,” promising to “campaign really hard” against him in the Republican primary next year.
On Monday, Trump added, “GET THIS ‘BUM’ OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!!”
Massie, alongside Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna, had notably introduced a resolution on June 17 to prohibit U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war without Congressional approval. This move further underscores Massie’s non-interventionist stance, a position he argues resonates with a significant portion of the MAGA base.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, publicly defended Trump’s actions, asserting that the President acted within his constitutional authority.
READ: Connecticut Rep. Himes Warns Iran Strike A “Massive Gamble” With “Worst-Case Scenario” Potential
Massie, on “Face the Nation,” disagreed, stating Johnson was misinterpreting the president’s powers and criticizing Congress for remaining on vacation rather than debating their resolution.
“We haven’t been briefed, they should’ve called us all back, and frankly, we should’ve debated this war powers resolution that [Democratic California Rep.] Ro Khanna and I authored instead of staying on vacation,” Massie stated.
The War Powers Act of 1973 is at the heart of this constitutional debate, intended to limit a president’s ability to commit U.S. armed forces to hostilities abroad without Congressional consent. Critics argue that Trump’s unilateral decision to strike Iran without prior Congressional approval bypasses this crucial check on executive power.
READ: Russia Warns Of Nuclear Arming For Iran After U.S. Strikes
Despite Trump’s strong condemnation, Massie appeared unfazed, humorously responding on X: “@realDonaldTrump declared so much War on me today it should require an Act of Congress. #sassywithmassie”
The airstrikes, which Trump hailed as a “spectacular military success” causing “monumental damage” to the Iranian nuclear sites, have been met with mixed reactions globally and domestically.
While some view them as a necessary step to incapacitate Iran’s nuclear program, others express deep concern over escalating tensions and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Vice President JD Vance, appearing on “Meet the Press,” sought to clarify the U.S. position, stating that the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran but rather with its nuclear program.
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