Trump's approval rating drops to 39%! The U.S. Congress will vote on a bill to restrict the president's war powers. Rubio explains the reasons for military action, and anti-war protests erupt across the country.

The U.S. military strike on Iran has sparked doubts and criticism in the U.S. Congress. Both the House and Senate will hold votes this week on bills to limit the president’s war powers.

Given the Republican majority in both chambers, it is unlikely that the bills will pass. Even if they do, President Trump is almost certain to veto them.

Democratic lawmakers:

This attack was unauthorized by Congress and is considered “illegal.”

According to the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. A 1973 law states that the president can only undertake limited military actions without congressional approval during a national emergency caused by attacks on the U.S., its territories, or armed forces.

It is reported that Congress is expected to vote later this week on bills to restrict the president’s war powers.

Several Democratic members have criticized the U.S. military action against Iran, stating there is no imminent threat and that the attack was “illegal” without congressional approval. On January 1, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner said there is no evidence that Iran is about to launch any form of preemptive strike against the U.S.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said U.S. intelligence indicates Iran would need about ten years to develop ballistic missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called on Congress via social media to pass legislation to immediately end this illegal war.

Many Republicans support the military action, but some oppose it. Republican Senator Rand Paul stated that the constitutional power to declare war is for Congress, and that it exists to reduce the likelihood of war. “After careful consideration, I must oppose another war initiated by the president.”

However, analysts believe that the debate in Congress over war powers will largely be symbolic. Even if the resolution passes, President Trump is almost certain to veto it, and lawmakers lack the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

In early January, after Trump ordered an attack on Venezuela’s Maduro, Congress proposed similar resolutions, but both chambers narrowly rejected them.

On January 22, the House of Representatives failed to pass a resolution on presidential war powers in a 215-215 tie. The resolution was introduced by Democratic Representatives Jim McGovern and Joaquin Castro, along with Republican Representative Thomas Massie. It received equal votes but did not pass due to lack of majority. Massie, along with Republican Representative Don Bacon and all Democrats, supported the resolution.

On January 14, a procedural motion in the Senate resulted in a 50-50 tie, ultimately decided by Vice President Vance, who cast the tie-breaking vote to block a formal vote on a similar resolution.

Rubio: Because Israel will attack Iran

The U.S. will become a target for retaliation, so “preemptive action” is justified.

According to Xinhua News Agency, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio on February 2 claimed that the U.S. launched military strikes on Iran because Israel was going to attack Iran, and the U.S. would become a target for Iranian retaliation, prompting a “preemptive” response.

Rubio told reporters, “We know Israel will take action, and that will accelerate Iran’s attack on U.S. forces. If we don’t act preemptively, we will suffer higher casualties.”

His remarks appear to frame Israel as a “shield,” prompting media and public skepticism. The Jerusalem Post said that public opinion widely believes Israel would only attack Iran with U.S. approval. An Israeli Defense Ministry official, speaking anonymously, also revealed that the U.S. and Israel coordinated and planned the operation for months, finalizing the date weeks ago.

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel jointly launched a “preemptive” military strike on Iran, during which Iran’s top leader Khamenei was targeted and killed. Iran responded with retaliation and condemned the U.S. for launching unwarranted attacks during nuclear negotiations.

CNN reported that President Trump and others justified the attack by claiming Iran posed an “imminent threat” to the U.S., which CNN says exaggerates the facts and contradicts U.S. intelligence assessments. ABC also reported that during a closed-door hearing on March 1, officials stated that intelligence indicated Iran was not preparing to launch a “preemptive” strike.

Public opinion polls show more than half of Americans oppose attacking Iran

Trump’s approval rating drops to 39%

After the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, CNN released a poll on March 2 that drew widespread attention.

The survey showed that 59% of respondents disapproved of military action against Iran, casting doubt on the U.S.-Israel operation. Only 39% believed the U.S. had exhausted diplomatic efforts before resorting to force, and just 27% thought the U.S. had tried diplomacy before military action. Most respondents doubted Trump’s approach to Iran, with 60% saying he lacked a clear plan and 62% believing he should seek congressional approval for any further military actions.

A joint poll by Reuters and Ipsos on March 1 confirmed that broad support for military intervention is lacking. About 90% of respondents knew about the attack, but 43% opposed it, 29% were unsure, and only 27% supported it.

The poll also revealed that about half of Americans, including a quarter of Republicans, think Trump is too inclined to use force. 56% believe Trump relies too much on military means to advance U.S. interests, citing recent orders to attack Venezuela, Syria, and Nigeria. Among party lines, 87% of Democrats share this view, along with 23% of Republicans and 60% of independents, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with Trump’s “force diplomacy.”

Despite 55% of Republicans supporting the attack, 13% oppose it. The poll found that 42% of Republicans would be less likely to support Iran action if U.S. troops in the Middle East were injured. As of March 2, the U.S. Central Command announced that six U.S. soldiers had died in the Iran operation, likely deepening divisions within the Republican Party.

The polls show Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 39%, down one point from a previous survey conducted from February 18-23. The attack on Iran occurred just three days before the midterm primaries, which will determine whether Republicans can maintain their majority in Congress. Voters’ top concern remains the economy, not foreign policy, leaving Trump in a difficult position.

The polls also indicate that about 45% of respondents (including 34% of Republicans and 44% of independents) would be less likely to support Iran action if gasoline or oil prices rose. On March 1, Brent crude futures surged 10% to about $80 per barrel. Analysts predict that the latest conflict could push oil prices to $100 per barrel, further increasing living costs for Americans.

Protests erupt across the U.S. in opposition to war

On the evening of March 2, protests were held in Los Angeles. Protesters gathered in front of Los Angeles City Hall, condemning the U.S. government’s military actions against Iran. They held signs reading “Stop Attacking Iran,” “Tax Dollars for People, Not War,” and called for an end to U.S. military intervention in Iran.

Protester Ada: I want the U.S. to stop bombing Iran, stop interfering in Iran’s affairs, and stop sanctions against the Iranian people. The U.S. government spends a lot of money on overseas killing. We see people suffering from police brutality, high rent, housing shortages, and cuts to social services here at home. Americans need support in these areas. Iran’s people are not our enemies; they need their government and their tax dollars to serve their own people, not to fund more wars.

Protester Webster: This is an entirely illegal war. The U.S. president has violated the Constitution and all principles of international law.

On March 2, in New York, Americans protested against U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. They held signs saying “No to Interfering in Iran” and called for the U.S. to immediately stop its military operations.

Participants said the U.S. should end its attacks on Iran, and that Iran’s affairs should be decided by Iranians themselves.

Protester Joanna: We want the fighting to end quickly. We don’t want bombs, we don’t want invasion. We’re sorry that our government, in our name and with our money, is killing people in Iran. Iran’s government is not decided by us. Who governs Iran should be decided by the Iranian people.

Protester Tobias: I don’t understand why we’re bombing Iran. I don’t see what benefit the American people, Middle Eastern people, or the world as a whole get from this military action. I don’t think it benefits anyone, so I believe we should stop the attacks.

On the evening of March 2, some Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., to protest and demand that the U.S. and Israel stop attacking Iran and prevent new wars in the Middle East.

CCTV Reporter Liu Xu: Outside the White House behind me, hundreds of protesters gathered to oppose the recent joint military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran. One of the most prominent signs read “Remember Iraq War, Remember Gulf War.” Protesters said that the wars in Iraq and the Gulf, launched by the U.S., caused massive bloodshed in Iraq and the Middle East, and posed ongoing security threats to the U.S. for decades. They called on the U.S. government to stop any new wars based on lies in the Middle East.

Protesters argue that the U.S. president has no authority to declare war, and that the government should focus on the demands of the American people rather than spending money on pointless overseas wars.

Protester Rebecca: The U.S. Constitution states that only Congress can declare war. The president has no right to do so. Americans do not want war.

Protester Lori: My slogan is: Use American taxpayers’ money for healthcare, not bombs. The Middle East is none of America’s business.