Gary Peters

ALPENA — Nearly a week ago, the United States launched a large-scale offensive against Iran, already reportedly killing six American soldiers.

The joint military operation with Israel has killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of the county’s government leaders.

Debate about the attacks on Iran is intense, as those who support the military effort say the attacks will help disarm a terrorist regime and help Iranians replace their dictator government. Naysayers say President Donald Trump didn’t have the authority to use the United States military without consent from Congress and is putting our nationals men and women in danger.

The conflict has Michigan’s elected officials divided, with some in support of Trump’s tactics, and others who are concerned about the constitutionality of his actions.

“The death and defeat of Ayatollah Khamenei marks a moment of reckoning and a moment of resolve for freedom-loving men and women across the globe,” U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, said in a statement. “One of the most brutal regimes of the last three decades has been dealt a decisive blow, along with many of those positioned to continue its reign of terror.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was Iran’s supreme leader. He was killed in a U.S. and Israel air strike on Feb. 28, the day the pending war began.

U.S. senators for Michigan. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin expressed their concern about President Trump beginning a war in the Middle East without congressional approval.

“The President just acknowledged he is risking American lives by dragging us into another ‘war’ in the Middle East, without Congress’ approval,” Peters said in a statement. “Our Constitution requires this check for a reason. The American people don’t want to send their sons and daughters to another unjustified forever war across the world.”

Slotkin also said she was not in favor of the action against Iran and worries about the safety of our military personnel and Americans in the Middle East.

“Americans woke up this morning to news that the U.S. and Israel have started major military action against Iran,” Slotkin said in a statement the day of the first attack. “Unlike the U.S. strike on Iran back in June, this operation doesn’t appear to be a one-and-done, so we’re thinking about the safety of our servicemembers and their families. Likewise, many Michiganders have family in the Middle East who are at risk right now as Iran is striking a number of countries. We pray for their safety as well.”

Slotkin commented on the conflict from her perspective as a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer.

“As a former CIA officer who served three tours in Iraq, I have no love lost for the Iranian government,” Slotkin said. “They’re a state sponsor of terror, responsible for the deaths of Americans. I saw it up close in Iraq and elsewhere.”

“But issues of war and peace should be treated with the utmost consequence,” Slotkin’s statement continued. “And President Trump hasn’t made his case to the American people. He hasn’t laid out the goals or the imminent threat posed by Iran that justifies risking a wider regional war. And he hasn’t followed the Constitution and brought this issue before Congress before committing our nation to war.”

“Most elected leaders — including President Trump himself — have condemned the rush to war without clear goals in the past,” Slotkin said. “He owes the American people the same thing he was demanding of previous presidents if he’s going to put lives at risk. And Congress should come back to Washington to debate these issues.”

Peters comments echo those of Slotkin.

“Iran is a bad actor and we must ensure they never produce nuclear weapons,” Peters said. “We had a diplomatic agreement with Iran on nuclear proliferation and President Trump withdrew during his first term without a plan for what comes next because he was playing petty politics. Now, he’s sending American service members back to the Middle East to attempt to fix the problems he created.”

“The Administration must immediately brief Congress on these strikes and its next steps, end goal, and strategy to ensure this protects, not weakens, our homeland security,” he said.

In contrast, Bergman said that Trump’s actions are not unconstitutional.

“The President possesses the constitutional authority to defend our Nation against foreign adversaries,” Bergman said. “Iran’s regime has long targeted Americans and our allies, including direct attempts against our leadership and the bloodshed of thousands of innocent people.”

“The United States must remain unrelenting in the pursuit of peace and unwavering in our commitment to protect American lives, at all costs,” he said.

Bergman spoke to the bravery of U.S. service members.

“One thing is certain: the United States warfighter remains the most capable and lethal force on Earth,” he said. “Once again, the brave men and women who serve our Nation have demonstrated unmatched precision, strength, and resolve.”

“We also remember the American service members who gave their lives confronting Iran’s regime and its proxies,” Bergman continued. “Thousands have been wounded, and too many families have borne the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation and our allies. Their courage and sacrifice are not forgotten, and today’s actions stand as a testament to their enduring legacy.”