'No War With Iran': Massachusetts Lawmakers On Soleimani Killing

BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts lawmakers responded quickly to the news Thursday evening that the U.S. had killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, one of Iran's top military leaders. Although two members of congress had yet to put out statements, the responses of the other 7, and the state's two senators, ranged from skeptical to harshly critical. "No war with Iran" was a common refrain.

Most lawmakers opened their statements by saying Soleimani, who ran Iran's Quds Force and its proxy forces in Syria and Iraq, was a murderer. But they criticized President Donald Trump's White House for carrying out the strike without congressional authorization, and worried that it would escalate into a full-fledged war with Iran.

In a tweet, Senator Ed Markey made both criticisms:

"No, a president cannot launch a military strike without Congressional authorization.

No, escalating conflict with Iran does not make Americans safer.

No, we will not stand idly by as President Trump drags our country into war.

No war with Iran. De-escalation now."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is running for president, called the move "reckless" in an initial tweet Thursday night. Friday, she followed up with a series of tweets saying the strike brought the U.S. to "the brink of yet another war in the Middle East—one that would be devastating in terms of lives lost and resources wasted."

Western Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal, MA-1, was more concerned about the procedural violations, decrying the lack of "an Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iran or the consultation of Congress."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

We’re on the brink of yet another war in the Middle East—one that would be devastating in terms of lives lost and resources wasted. We’re not here by accident. We’re here because a reckless president, his allies, and his administration have spent years pushing us here.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

U.S. Sen Ed Markey

Trump’s apparent assassination of Soleimani is a massive, deliberate, and dangerous escalation of conflict with Iran. The President just put the lives of every person in the region - U.S. service members and civilians - at immediate risk.

We need de-escalation now. https://t.co/oAenBUsvFl
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 3, 2020

No, a president cannot launch a military strike without Congressional authorization.

No, escalating conflict with Iran does not make Americans safer.

No, we will not stand idly by as President Trump drags our country into war.

No war with Iran. De-escalation now.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, 1st District (Springfield, Pittsfield)

Neal issued the following statement:

“Last night’s deadly airstrikes in Iraq that targeted high-level Iranian military officials and killed Iran's top security and intelligence commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani was done without an Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iran or the consultation of Congress. That is simply unacceptable.

“Because of this, we are at a dangerous crossroads. The full Congress must be briefed immediately before any other action is taken or any additional troops enter the region. While our highest priority is to protect American lives, we cannot do it at the expense of our service members or those representing us overseas.”

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, 2nd District (Worcester, Northampton)

Rep. Jim McGovern quoted late South Dakota Senator George McGovern, no relation, who he campaigned for in high school in 1972.

Tonight I'll be praying for our courageous troops, diplomatic corps, and all others who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, in the Middle East and across the world. #NoWarWithIran https://t.co/PiDVtAsevx
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 3, 2020

He also released the following longer statement:

“There is no question that Qasem Soleimani was a ruthless military commander who had American blood on his hands. But this is a serious and destabilizing escalation that could lead to war. Let’s be clear: Congress has not authorized war with Iran. Republicans and Democrats alike do not want war with Iran. The American people do not want war with Iran. We are sick and tired of endless wars.

“We have heard nothing so far from this administration about how they plan to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this from spiraling into an ever-escalating series of retaliatory actions that would almost certainly put American troops and innocent civilians in harm’s way. The President’s reckless strike — clearly without a lot of thought — will also likely embolden hardliners in Iran, increase the likelihood of extremist retaliation throughout the region and encourage more anti-Americanism in Iraq.

“This is a dangerous moment for the United States and the World. Yet the White House hasn’t explained their strategy or told anyone what happens next. Americans deserve better than that.”

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, 3rd District (Lawrence, Lowell, Fitchburg)

Rep. Trahan issued this statement:

“Qasem Soleimani was unquestionably an evil man with the blood of countless American servicemembers and innocent civilians on his hands. It’s imperative that the Administration brief Congress on the intelligence that they’ve described as ‘an imminent threat’ to warrant a strike of this magnitude.

“Neither I nor the American people want war with Iran. The Administration’s unilateral decision to escalate conflict with Iran without a cohesive security strategy for the region puts American lives at greater risk – especially our servicemembers and diplomats in the Middle East. The public deserves to know precisely how we’ve come to the brink of armed conflict, and why, if at all, last night’s decision was necessary for our national security.”

U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, 4th District (Hopkinton, Newton, Milford, Brookline)

Qassem Soleimani was an evil man who deserved to be held accountable for his sins. But carrying out an assassination without notifying Congress or presenting a plan to avoid war and American casualties is reckless and dangerous.
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, 5th District (Framingham, Natick, Woburn, Sudbury)

Soleimani was responsible for horrific violence. But this was a dangerous escalation in an already chaotic region of the world, and it was done without Congress' approval.

Now this administration must work with Congress to minimize further risk, protect U.S. lives and avoid war. https://t.co/7fZqm4hMNf
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 6th District (Lynn, Peabody, Salem, Burlington)

Statement on US military action in Iraq against Qasem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/n1llR2NYer
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 3, 2020

U.S Rep. Ayanna Pressley, 7th District (Dorchester, Randolph, Cambridge)

The Occupant was JUST impeached for abuse of power for political gain & now he is leading us to the brink of war because he believes it will help his re-election. We are sick of endless wars. Congress has the sole authority to declare war and we must deescalate. #NoWarWithIran
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, 8th District (Braintree, Dedham, Quincy

No statement as of 2 p.m. Friday.

U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, 9th District (Plymouth, Provincetown, New Bedford)

No statement as of 2 p.m. Friday.