Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Condemning The Administration’s Conflicting Rationale For War Of Choice In Iran

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today spoke on the Senate after yesterday's classified briefing on Iran, citing concern over the scope of the conflict, the rapidly changing objectives, and disapproval from the American people. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

It's been four days since Donald Trump launched America into a war that most Americans oppose, most Americans don't understand - and his own administration can't consistently explain. I walked out of yesterday's intelligence briefing more concerned than when I walked in. Because if the case for war were strong, the story would be consistent and steady. Instead, it changes by the hour.

First, Donald Trump suggested the goal was regime change. He said the people of Iran should rise up and take back their country. Then, it was about nuclear weapons, the same weapon capabilities he said were "obliterated" last summer. Then, yesterday morning, Pete Hegseth said "Iran had a conventional gun to our head." He said, "this is not a so-called regime change war." Then Secretary Rubio claimed that it was about crippling Iran's missiles. Then it was about crippling Iran's navy. Then Rubio said it was about what Israel would do and the Iranian response.

We heard that this attack was "defensive" in nature. Then Rubio says it was "preemptive." Which one is it, Donald Trump? Regime change? Nuclear weapons? Missiles? An imminent threat to the homeland? Or a preemptive strike to stop future attacks on the region? When the rationale for war keeps shifting, the strategy is missing. And that's because there is no strategy. And when the strategy is missing, the risk grows. Six American service members are dead. The conflict is widening. The State Department is telling Americans to leave the region. Oil prices have already jumped 7 percent in just a few days.

History teaches us a simple lesson: wars without a clear objective do not stay small. They get bigger. They get bloodier. They get longer. And they get more expensive. This is not a defensive war. This is not a necessary war. This is a war of choice.

The American people do not want another endless war of choice in the Middle East.

They do not want to see our troops fight and die in a pointless war.

Parents don't want to worry about whether or not their kids will be sent abroad to fight in a conflict Americans didn't ask for.

The American people want leadership that is focused on lowering costs here at home.

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