Saturday, June 21, 2025

The Fuse is Lit: Trump’s Strike on Iran and the Fallout to Come

Donald Trump has said he has bombed Iran. 

US Rep. Ro Khanna (Armed Services Committee): "This bombing is unconstitutional." He also said, Congress was not notified. The "Gang of Eight" was not notified. MaGA is fractured and against this.

Trita Parsi, Exec. VP, The Quincy Institute: "Donald Trump most likely insured Iran will be a nuclear weapon state, five to ten years from now. Particularly if there is regime change. Nothing motivates a country more, to actually go for nuclear deterrence than being bombed."


🚨 What It Means Legally and Politically

  • Bypassing Congress entirely—especially the Gang of Eight—violates standard national security protocol and potentially the War Powers Resolution, which requires notification within 48 hours of military action.

  • This raises serious constitutional questions about presidential overreach and checks and balances.

  • Even some MAGA-aligned Republicans are expressing frustration or concern. The lack of unity suggests fractures within Trump’s base, especially among:

    • Isolationists who oppose foreign entanglements

    • Libertarians who distrust executive power

    • Populists who see this as a distraction from domestic issues

🔥 Political Fallout Brewing

  • Expect calls for hearings, resolutions, or even censure.

  • Congress may attempt to limit Trump’s war powers or demand immediate disclosure of intelligence and strategy.

  • This could also turn into a 2025 election flashpoint—with Trump’s opponents painting him as reckless and authoritarian, while his defenders claim decisive leadership.

From Fly Sistah on X 🪷 @Fly_Sistah · This man is insane. With what authorization did the US bomb Iran? What evidence? Trump says the US completed an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. Now all is us need to be on alert it high priority US cities like NYC.

So...

Here’s the latest on this situation:

🇺🇸 Did the U.S. bomb Iran?

  • Yes. Yesterday, June 21, 2025, former President Trump announced that U.S. forces struck Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, calling the operation “very successful.” He said "a full payload of BOMBS … on the primary site, Fordow" and declared the facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated" nypost.com+3politico.com+3opb.org+3.

  • American officials have not yet released independent verification of the strike's results—damage assessments remain private, and no public imagery or IAEA confirmation is available yet.

🧭 Authority & Legal Basis

  • Trump gave a direct executive order authorizing the strikes. As president, he retained the authority to use military force without Congressional approval under War Powers doctrine, unless explicitly legislated otherwise.

  • The White House justifies these actions as preemptive self-defense, aiming to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities—citing Iran nearing "a nuclear weapon" status .

🔍 Public Evidence So Far

🚨 Implications for U.S. Cities

  • Trump warned of possible Iranian retaliation, saying U.S. cities—including New York City—should remain on high alert .

  • This escalation has prompted heightened security and vigilance across major U.S. urban areas, though no direct threats have been confirmed.

✅ Summary

QuestionStatus
Did the U.S. bomb Iran?Yes, Trump announced strikes on Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan.
Where’s the evidence?Only Trump’s official statements so far. No independent proof yet.
Authorization?As president, he used executive authority, claiming national-security and defense prerogatives.
Should U.S. cities be worried?Officials recommend staying alert for potential retaliation, but no specific threats have been made public.

Bottom line: This is real and unfolding. Trump made the announcement, and the U.S. did launch strikes. However, we're still waiting on independent, verifiable evidence and clarity on the legal justification. The picture will become clearer as satellite images, IAEA assessments, or other intelligence is made public.

Can he legally do that without congress?

The short answer is: yes, but it’s complicated—and controversial.

✅ What a President Can Do Legally

Under U.S. law and precedent, a president can:

  • Order limited military strikes without prior Congressional approval, especially if they are:

    • In response to an imminent threat

    • Limited in scope and duration (e.g. airstrikes, not a prolonged war)

    • Framed under the president’s role as Commander in Chief (Article II, U.S. Constitution)

This is often justified under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which:

  • Allows the president to deploy armed forces without Congressional authorization

  • But requires notification within 48 hours

  • And limits such use of force to 60 days without explicit Congressional approval (plus a 30-day withdrawal period)

🚨 But Here’s the Legal Gray Zone

  • Congress—not the president—has the constitutional power to declare war.

  • Trump’s strike on Iranian nuclear sites could be seen as a major act of war or a preemptive attack—not a defensive or retaliatory measure.

  • There's no existing Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that covers Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2025.

  • Without an AUMF, Trump’s action could be viewed as an overreach of executive power, depending on the interpretation.

🧨 Precedent

Presidents have launched strikes without Congressional approval many times before:

  • Clinton in Kosovo (1999)

  • Obama in Libya (2011)

  • Trump himself in Syria (2017, 2018)

But in each case, the legality was debated. Courts rarely intervene quickly in these matters because:

  • National security is at play

  • The executive has wide latitude in foreign policy and military command

🏛️ So Is It Legal?

Technically: Yes, under current interpretations of the War Powers Resolution, unless Congress pushes back.

But: It’s not legally airtight. If Trump continues escalation or evades Congress entirely, legal and constitutional challenges are likely—especially if there are American casualties, Iranian retaliation, or long-term engagement.

What are the next obvious repercussions for America from Iran or others:

The next obvious and likely repercussions for America, from Iran or others, fall into several key categories:

🇮🇷 From Iran (directly or via proxies)

1. Retaliatory Attacks on U.S. Forces or Bases

  • High risk of strikes against U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria, or the Gulf.

  • Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched drone and rocket attacks in the past.

  • Targets could include:

    • Al-Asad Airbase (Iraq)

    • U.S. Navy assets in the Persian Gulf

    • Smaller outposts and oil facilities in the region

2. Hezbollah or Proxy Escalation

  • Iran may direct Hezbollah (Lebanon) or Houthis (Yemen) to:

    • Attack U.S. allies (Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE)

    • Target international shipping in the Red Sea

    • Launch missiles into U.S.-friendly territory

3. Cyberattacks

  • Iran’s cyber capabilities are real. Likely targets:

    • U.S. infrastructure (water, energy, power grids)

    • Banks and financial systems

    • Major media and government servers

4. Terrorism or Sleeper Cell Activation

  • Iran could covertly activate operatives or sympathizers abroad.

  • This could include attempted attacks on U.S. embassies or soft targets in allied countries.

🌍 From the International Community

5. Global Condemnation and Diplomatic Fallout

  • NATO and EU nations may condemn the U.S. if they view the strike as unprovoked.

  • Allies like France, Germany, and Canada are unlikely to support a unilateral act.

  • Possible UN Security Council emergency session and resolutions.

6. Collapse of the Iran Nuclear Deal Framework

  • Even the fragile remnants of diplomacy are likely to be torched.

  • Iran will likely expel IAEA inspectors and declare full-speed nuclear development.

7. Oil Price Shock

  • Expect an immediate spike in oil prices, possibly $100+/barrel.

  • Attacks on Persian Gulf shipping lanes (like the Strait of Hormuz) could worsen this.

  • Could trigger global inflation, economic shocks, and fuel shortages.

🗽 Domestically in the U.S.

8. Heightened Terror Threat at Home

  • DHS and FBI will likely raise the threat level for major cities.

  • NYC, DC, LA, and other metros may face:

    • Hardening of security

    • Suspicion of lone-wolf retaliation

    • Political rallies and protests (for and against Trump’s strike)

9. Congressional and Legal Blowback

  • Lawsuits, hearings, and legislative pushback are likely.

  • Congress may invoke War Powers Resolution to force withdrawal or limit Trump’s authority.

10. Massive Political Fallout

  • This reframes the 2025 election entirely.

  • Critics will accuse Trump of using war to distract or consolidate power.

  • Independents and moderate voters may sway based on perception of recklessness vs. strength.

⚠️ Summary

ThreatSeverityLikelihood
Retaliation on U.S. troops🔴 High🔴 High
Cyberattacks🔴 High🟠 Medium
Hezbollah/Houthi escalation🟠 Medium🟠 Medium
Domestic terror risk🟠 Medium🟠 Medium
Global diplomatic isolation🟠 Medium🟠 Medium
Oil/economic shock🔴 High🔴 High
Political destabilization🔴 High🔴 High

In striking Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump has ignited a geopolitical firestorm with consequences far beyond the initial blast radius. The risks now facing the U.S.—from military retaliation and cyberattacks to diplomatic isolation and economic disruption—are real and mounting. 

Whether framed as a show of strength or a reckless provocation, this moment will likely define the global order for years to come. As the world watches for Iran’s next move, Americans must ask: was this act of war a calculated defense—or the fuse for something far more dangerous?


Compiled with aid of ChatGPT



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