Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to launch military operations against Iran, calling out the administration for breaking campaign promises and dragging the United States into an unauthorized conflict.
Speaking at a Capitol press briefing earlier this week, Murray said the president had pledged to lower costs for American families and avoid new foreign wars. Instead, she argued, the administration has delivered the opposite.
“Donald Trump promised lower costs and no more foreign wars,” Murray said. “Instead, he has given us higher costs and a new, costly war in the Middle East.”
The Washington Democrat said the president ordered military action without seeking approval from Congress or providing a clear explanation to the American public. She argued that lawmakers and voters were given no opportunity to debate the decision before U.S. forces were deployed.
Murray also expressed condolences to the families of service members killed since the conflict began, calling the military campaign a “war of choice” launched without defined objectives or an exit strategy.
She, at the time, urged Congress to pass a War Powers Resolution to end the conflict and called on Republican lawmakers to join Democrats in asserting Congress’s constitutional authority over decisions to go to war. Unfortunately, the resolution failed to pass in both chambers.
Murray Shines A Spotlight On The DHS, FBI
Beyond the conflict itself, Murray accused Republicans of using the situation to justify additional funding for immigration enforcement. Murray made clear that she will oppose legislation that increases funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that the agency must first face stronger oversight and accountability.
Murray said immigration enforcement should not distract from broader national security responsibilities. She noted that other federal agencies responsible for intelligence, law enforcement, and defense are already funded and capable of addressing threats.
Instead, she raised concerns about leadership decisions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Murray pointed to what she described as personnel changes affecting counterterrorism and cybersecurity operations, including leadership at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and staffing decisions by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Murray questioned why counterintelligence personnel were removed from key assignments and criticized the appointment of an inexperienced 22-year-old official to oversee counterterrorism efforts within DHS.
Those decisions, she pointed out, should concern lawmakers far more than calls for immigration enforcement agencies to operate under stricter standards similar to those governing local police departments.
Democrats Remain Firm In Addressing The Affordability Crisis
Drawing on her past votes, Murray noted that she opposed the Iraq War and argued that military force should be used only as a last resort. She warned that the new conflict could carry significant financial costs alongside the human toll.
Murray also contrasted the administration’s willingness to spend on military operations and tax cuts with what she described as a lack of urgency in addressing domestic economic challenges.
“Democrats have a very different message,” Murray said, pledging that her party would continue pushing policies aimed at lowering costs and supporting working families rather than funding what she called unnecessary wars.
