President Trump’s strikes on Iran over the weekend have created a rift in New Jersey’s political delegation, with some calling it a necessary defense against terrorism and others warning it’s an illegal move that could trigger another lengthy war in the Middle East.
The sharp divide reveals a fundamental disagreement among NJ lawmakers: whether the strikes represent strength or dangerous overreach by a president acting without Congressional approval.
Some Members Support Strikes, Regardless of Party
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-02) offered unequivocal support for the strikes, calling the action a “decisive response to years of aggression.”
“When America leads with strength, our enemies think twice, and the world is safer for it,” Van Drew said. He praised the military personnel involved and framed the action as necessary to eliminate terrorism in the Middle East.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) also backed the strikes, saying they were necessary to “defend our national security, fight terror, protect our allies, and stand with the Iranian people.” Gottheimer noted that he has coordinated with Governor Sherrill for increased security around religious institutions across New Jersey.
But the rest of New Jersey’s delegation—eight House Democrats and both U.S. Senators—opposed the action with varying degrees of intensity.
Senators Raise Constitutional Objection
Sen. Cory Booker (D) raised the core constitutional argument: “War and peace cannot be left to the impulses of any one president, especially not this one.”
He argued that Trump launched strikes without Congressional approval or a coherent strategy. Booker pointed out the President has no plan for what happens if Iran’s government collapses, no plan for nuclear security, and no plan for protecting U.S. troops now in heightened danger.
“The American people deserve honesty, not bluster; clarity and sober judgment, not reckless adventurism in matters of national security,” Booker said in a statement.
Sen. Andy Kim (D) objected outright: “Americans don’t want to go to war with Iran. By launching strikes, President Trump has made the same dangerous and foolish decision President Bush did a generation ago.”
He called on the Senate to immediately vote on Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution.
Members of Congress Flash “Endless War” Warnings
Rep. Herb Conaway Jr. (D-03), a veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, framed his opposition from an experienced military standpoint: “Without a clear strategy, without a full understanding of the risks to our servicemembers, and without assessing the danger of regional escalation, these strikes are reckless and risk yet another endless war in the Middle East.”
Rep. Nellie Pou (D-09) warned that Iran’s retaliatory attacks “illustrate the danger of this campaign exploding into a larger, more uncontrollable conflict.”
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10) was blunt: “This is clearly a war of choice. The Constitution requires the Administration to come before Congress for authorization—something this President has not done. I will not support this war.”
The Stark Critique
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-06) offered perhaps the sharpest condemnation: “Trump is the warmonger. He is causing the violence. He’s not the president of peace. He’s the president of war.”
Pallone argued that any retaliation against American forces or soldiers will be a direct result of Trump’s decision to act unilaterally and ignore his own advisors. Three U.S. soldiers were confirmed dead—and five others seriously injured during the operaton—on Sunday.
Rep. Rob Menendez (D-08): “Americans do not want to send our sons and daughters to go to war with Iran. That is exactly why Congress needs to immediately reassert its war powers.”
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) drew broad connections surrounding the strikes, suggesting the president could have acted out of desperation: “While Donald Trump campaigned on keeping America out of wars, his actions in Venezuela, Iran and even our own nation have shown us all that he’s the President of pandemonium. These illegal operations are part of a desperate attempt to distract from his failed policies and stay in power.”
The Middle Ground
Rep. Donald Norcross (D-01) acknowledged the Iranian regime’s genuine threat—nuclear weapons development, terrorism sponsorship, oppression of its people—but stopped short of endorsing the strikes. Instead, he called for an “immediate classified briefing to Congress to fully explain the rationale for this action and the path forward.”
“The American people deserve to understand why this latest strike was undertaken, why it was initiated at this time, and what clear strategy exists to bring this situation to a responsible conclusion,” Norcross said in a statement.
Governor Sherrill’s Security Response
While New Jersey’s congressional delegation battled over the strikes themselves, Governor Mikie Sherrill focused her response on state-level security measures.
As a former Naval officer and former House Armed Services Committee member, Sherrill said she’s “closely monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel, and elsewhere in the Middle East.” At present, she reported no known threat to New Jersey.
However, “as a precautionary measure,” law enforcement will increase patrols at houses of worship and other sensitive sites throughout the state. Sherrill said she’s coordinating with Attorney General Davenport, Acting Superintendent Hengemuhle, and the state’s Director of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
“The safety and security of New Jerseyans is my number one responsibility,” she said.
Read the full release here.
What Happens Next
Multiple Democrats—including Booker, Kim, Conaway, Pou, and Menendez—have called for Congress to immediately vote on war powers resolutions that would limit the President’s ability to wage war without congressional approval.
That vote is expected when Congress reconvenes next week. It would force members to go on the record with a simple yes or no.
For now, New Jersey’s political delegation remains divided over whether Trump’s Iran strikes represent necessary strength or dangerous, illegal overreach—a split that mirrors broader national tensions over presidential war powers and America’s role in the Middle East.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.