A surprising split has emerged within the Republican Party as one GOP congressman joins Democrats in a legal effort challenging President Donald Trump’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), one of President Trump’s most outspoken Republican critics on foreign policy, has signed onto a new resolution that would direct House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to pursue legal action against the Trump administration. Supporters of the measure argue the president has exceeded his authority under the War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations without explicit approval from Congress.
The measure has drawn support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), and Jim McGovern (D-MA). The effort is being spearheaded by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Massie remains the only House Republican to sign onto the proposal.
Massie argues the administration is violating key provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a law designed to limit a president’s ability to engage U.S. forces in prolonged military action without congressional authorization.
According to Massie, Congress has already acted under the law by passing a war powers resolution, but the White House has continued its military operations despite that action.
He also criticized what he described as the administration’s interpretation of the law regarding temporary ceasefires. Massie claims officials are treating each ceasefire as restarting the law’s 60-day timeline for presidential military action, an argument he believes would not withstand judicial review.
Massie said the War Powers Resolution remains federal law and has never been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In his view, the courts—not the executive branch—should determine whether the administration’s actions comply with the Constitution and existing statutes.
The Kentucky Republican has become one of the few GOP lawmakers willing to publicly challenge President Trump over the Iran conflict. Last week, he joined three other House Republicans and Democrats in voting for a war powers resolution intended to limit presidential authority over the military operation.
Although that resolution passed the House, it is largely symbolic and does not require the administration to alter its current strategy.
Massie’s opposition has also created political fallout at home. After repeatedly criticizing the president’s approach to Iran, he became the target of a Trump-backed primary challenge. The president’s endorsed candidate defeated Massie, making it likely the longtime congressman will leave the House after his current term.
Despite the renewed legal effort, the proposal faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House. Speaker Mike Johnson is not expected to schedule a vote unless supporters successfully use procedural tactics to force the issue onto the House floor.
Massie also took aim at congressional leadership, arguing lawmakers are failing to defend Congress’ constitutional responsibility over decisions involving war.
He noted that military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were authorized through congressional Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs). By contrast, he argues the administration has not sought similar authorization for military operations involving Iran.
Speaker Johnson disagrees with that assessment.
Speaking with reporters, Johnson said he does not believe a new AUMF is necessary at this stage and expressed confidence that the administration is working toward ending the conflict.
“The administration is working very hard to bring this to a resolution,” Johnson said. “I don’t think an AUMF is in order right now. I think we need to bring this to a resolution.”
The White House also pushed back against criticism of the president’s actions.
Press Secretary Anna Kelly said President Trump acted decisively to confront what the administration considers a long-standing national security threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions. She also emphasized that the administration has remained in regular communication with Congress throughout the conflict.
According to Kelly, senior administration officials have provided more than 30 bipartisan briefings to lawmakers since late February covering military operations, diplomatic negotiations, and national security developments.
The dispute highlights an increasingly rare divide within the Republican Party on foreign policy. While most GOP lawmakers have stood behind President Trump’s approach to Iran, Massie continues to argue that Congress—not the White House alone—should play a central role in authorizing extended military action.
Whether the lawsuit proposal advances or not, the debate has renewed questions about presidential war powers, congressional oversight, and how future military conflicts should be handled under the Constitution.