'Perilous Gamble' Taken By Trump On Iran Bombing, Montco Legislator Says

GLENSIDE, PA — U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean is criticizing President Donald Trump, saying he made a "perilous gamble" in the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities on Friday night.

"Surrounded by an ever-shrinking group of advisors and courtiers, President Trump unilaterally and unconstitutionally authorized military action in Iran," said Dean, who represents Montgomery County. "This was a perilous gamble that threatens the safety of tens of thousands of Americans and risks entangling our country in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East."

While Dean agrees that Iran should never possess nuclear weapons, she said that military action and a strike like the one by the U.S. military on Friday night should be "a last resort."

"War begets war; whereas, diplomacy is the path to the lasting peace that the President claims to want," Dean said. "Importantly, by failing to consult and coordinate with Congress — as required by our Constitution — the President has once again demonstrated his disregard for our Constitution."

Dean said she is "gravely concerned" that last night’s actions put American lives at risk.

More than 40,000 American troops are currently stationed in the Middle East, and thousands of American citizens remain in the region. Protecting them must be our first priority — even as our President appears eager to plunge us into this conflict.

"I thank God for our extraordinary U.S. military personnel, who appear to have exquisitely executed this operation. They and we, the people, need accountability, transparency, and responsibility from this Administration," Dean said.

"I call on all of my colleagues in Congress — especially my Republican colleagues — to curb this Administration’s unpredictable, erratic whims," she continued. "As we have seen, this President is willing to roll the dice on far lesser things and push us to the brink of war. We must uphold our Constitution and the rule of law, and we must immediately pursue diplomacy and peace."