When Bernie Sanders began his ‘Fight Oligarchy’ rally in Tulsa on Saturday, he would have been hoping to stay on topic for the duration. But, during his speech to a crowd of thousands, the Democrat senator was handed a note confirming that President Trump had overseen the bombing of Iran.
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Why has Trump bombed Iran?
Three nuclear procurement facilities were hit and badly damaged by airstrikes conducted by the US military. Iran has promised ‘everlasting consequences’ in response, leaving the world waiting with bated breath for what comes next.
The strikes make a mockery of Trump’s promise to keep the peace when elected, and previous Tweets of his speculating that other leaders would ‘try to start a war with Iran’ have been pulled into focus. The decision to bomb the country has been attributed to concerns over accelerated nuclear development, following an exchange of fire with Israel.
Bernie Sanders attacks Trump for ‘grossly unconstitutional’ act
Whether Iran currently possesses any weapons of mass destruction is up for debate, but this new conflict has echoes of the Iraq War which started at the turn of the century. Bernie Sanders opposed military intervention back then, and he certainly opposes it now.
Mr. Sanders was told by a campaign official that Trump had addressed the nation, confirming that the US had heeded Israeli calls to take-out the plants in question. After telling the audience that Iran had been bombed by US forces, chants of ‘no more war’ engulfed the arena.
‘The president has no right’ – Bernie Sanders
In his rebuttal, the left-leaning politician agreed with the crowds, condemning the actions of the government and Donald Trump as ‘grossly unconstitutional’, stating that only a vote in Congress can be used to decide if America should enter an international conflict.
“I want to tell you something. Not only is this news we’ve just heard alarming, but it is so grossly unconstitutional. All of us know this. The only entity that can take us to war is the US Congress. President Trump does not have the right to do this!” | Bernie Sanders