"An Astonishing Double Cross": Trump accused of betraying his supporters

Donald Trump is facing intense backlash from Democratic lawmakers following his decision to launch a military strike on Iran without congressional authorization. Among the sharpest critics is Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), who accused the president of betraying his campaign promises and circumventing constitutional checks on his power.

Appearing Sunday morning on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Sen. Welch didn’t hold back, calling the president’s move “an astonishing double cross by Donald Trump to his supporters and to his pledge to Americans.”

Welch, who is sponsoring a bill to block funding for “any use of military force in or against Iran without specific congressional authorization,” laid out a pointed four-part argument criticizing the strike and Trump’s broader strategy.

“Number one, this was Trump at his most impulsive. Number two, Trump lied to the American people and to his voters promising he would not get us in yet another Middle East war,” Welch said.

He continued, “Number three, his own intelligence came to the conclusion that while Iran was enriching uranium, it didn’t have the capacity to deliver a weapon.” Welch also highlighted the role of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Number four, Netanyahu sabotaged the negotiations and Trump willingly acceded to the Netanyahu agenda, which is also about regime change in Iran.”

The senator’s frustration stems not only from the act of aggression itself but from what he sees as a dangerous breach of the constitutional process. “In my view, the last thing we need is a war, another war in the Middle East,” Welch said.

“And I’m one of the many in Congress that are going to be demanding that we vote on this.” Trump’s unilateral decision to take military action has reignited long-standing concerns over presidential war powers and the need for congressional oversight.

Critics argue that such actions set a troubling precedent and could escalate tensions in an already volatile region. Welch’s bill aims to reassert congressional authority and ensure that any future military involvement with Iran undergoes proper scrutiny and public debate.

As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers on both sides are being pressed to weigh in on the balance between national security and constitutional governance.

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