"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That happens in war." --Trump

Hegseth today:  "The U.S. war on Iran will continue on Trump’s terms, with more troops on the way and more casualties expected, and no timeline or exit strategy, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Monday, as the military announced the fourth U.S. service member killed."

Trump promised no wars with him as POTUS.

Trump bombed Iran and removed its leaders. 

We are now at war with Iran.

 PBS News: The U.S.-Israel attack on Iran was "not the limited strike that was considered by the president or his aides, nor was this even limited to Iran's nuclear or missile program," PBS News' Nick Schifrin says. 

It's "a war to overthrow the Iranian regime — and not quick," he added. President Donald Trump said Saturday the mission could take days or weeks. "There's no guarantee of success, and there's no knowing what will happen after that," Schifrin said.

Hegseth leaves door open for boots on the ground in Iran 

Hegseth: "Israel has clear missions as well for which we are grateful. Capable partners are good partners, unlike so many of our traditional allies who wring their hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing about the use of force ... no stupid rules of engagement." 

Hegseth Promises to “Finish” a War Nobody Asked Him to Start 

Hegseth strutted to the microphone yesterday like he was auditioning for World’s Most Clueless Commander in Chief and declared: “We didn’t start this war, but under Trump, we are finishing it.” 

 “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” ― George Orwell, 1984

 

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"Pentagon briefers acknowledged to congressional staff in a briefing Sunday that Iran was not planning to strike US forces or bases in the Middle East unless Israel attacked Iran first, undercutting the administration's argument Saturday that Tehran was planning to potentially strike the US preemptively and posed an imminent threat, according to multiple people who attended the briefing."

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Kentucky Senator Rand Paul’s response to the strikes on Iran: 

“As yet another preemptive war is begun in the Middle East, John Quincy Adam’s words of wisdom still ring true:

“Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.”

Like most Americans I have sympathy for the plight of the Iranian people and all subjected people around the globe, from North Korea to Tibet.

But as Adam’s wrote, America:  “goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.”

The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely.  

Madison wrote that “the Executive Branch is the branch most prone to war, therefore, the Constitution, with studied care, delegated the war power to the legislature.”

As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission.  

But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war.”