WASHINGTON, D.C. – We are monitoring the latest developments on the protests in Iran. For more than two weeks, protests began over economic grievances which have transformed into a call for regime change. We spoke with Congressional members about Iran and what the United States’ role should be.
There are reports of at least 2,400 protesters killed within the roughly two weeks of nationwide unrest in Iran. Officials believe thousands have been arrested. The protests were sparked by outrage over economic issues and has since developed into challenging Iran’s regime. With internet blackouts and communication cutoffs, it’s difficult to determine the current situation.
President Donald Trump has threatened military strikes if the Iranian government continue to use deadly force against demonstrators. We asked congressional members who sit on Armed Services or Foreign Relations Committees their thoughts on the situation in Iran and what should US involvement look like.
“The current regime cannot be trusted,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R- MI), Armed Services Committee. “We need to make sure as a country as the US along with our partners that we do the right thing and help those folks fighting for their freedom, help them to achieve their goals in the long term.” We asked the Congressman if the President should get Congressional authority if he decides to use a military strike in Iran:
“I think the congress right now, I would ask the congress right now – we got a lot of stuff to do,” said the Congressman. “Should we be informed? Yes, but are we the Executive Branch? No. I would love it if our Congress both Democrat and Republican would work together to have these dialogues right now instead of its us versus them in too many cases.” He adds it’s important to continue building good relationships with each other to help create good policy. “But if everyone is screaming at each other with a microphone, it doesn’t help the president and it doesn’t help countries like Iran.”
“I stand with the protesters,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D- NY), Senate Armed Services Committee. “They are on the streets demanding justice, demanding a stronger economy. They just want to feed their families and what we now know is this regime has slaughtered thousands of people, arguably tens of thousands. The United States needs to be very careful and thoughtful in how we respond at this moment. President Trump should not be using our troops or not having boots on the ground without the prior authorization of Congress because first of all the American people do not want to see another Iraq or Afghanistan, another 20 year war and I don’t know if President Trump has a plan for how he would be successful.”
We also spoke with Pennsylvania Republican Senator Dave McCormick (R- PA), who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. He doesn’t believe we should put US troops on the ground in Iran but he believes the President’s pressure on the regime is giving hope to the Iranian people who are looking for change.
“There’s this great line that Ernest Hemmingway had in one of his books and that’s ‘bankruptcy happens gradually and then all suddenly’ and so, you hit this tipping point and things fall apart,” said Sen. McCormick. “And I’m hoping that happens for the Iranian people and there will be a new day for Iran where they can take advantage of. It’s an incredible community, incredible society, unbelievable invention and innovation, great history, just terrible leadership and we need to change.”
