Today, Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s decision to strike Iran:
“In our democracy, the American people – through our elected representatives – decide when our nation goes to war. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution, having just fought a war to win our nation’s independence, recognized the grave consequences of going to war and vested that power in our representatives in Congress. Yet, today President Trump acted unilaterally – without Congressional approval and outside of the guardrails set up by our founders in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago.
“In going to war with Iran, the President has not adequately explained why this war is urgent now, what this military campaign may look like, or what the strategic objective is. Until a few days ago, he was seeking a deal to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program that the President himself claimed just a few months ago was completely destroyed. But today he declared that this is a war for regime change, something he said he would not pursue.
“Make no mistake, the Iranian regime represses its own people and is the leading state sponsor of terrorism around the world – they must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The regime and its proxies have killed American servicemembers and innocent civilians, wreaked havoc across the globe, and pose a direct threat to global peace and stability.
“In recent weeks, tens of thousands of brave Iranians have died standing up for their freedoms against this cruel regime. The people of Iran deserve a government that gives voice to these hopes, respects their rights, and pursues their interests peacefully – not through violence or intimidation.
“President Trump and his Administration have not demonstrated to the American people that we have a clear plan with this mission – and by taking unilateral action, without a broad coalition of international partners, he is putting our brave servicemembers at greater risk and undermining our national security interests.
“Lori and I are praying for the women and men of the United States armed forces who are deployed in the region and around the world. They are the best of us. We have complete faith in their skills and professionalism and they make up the most powerful military on Earth. May God protect our troops."