Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has ignited a fierce partisan battle by claiming President Trump committed an impeachable offense through his military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. President Trump’s decision to order strikes against Iranian targets has created unusual alliances and divisions within both parties, with some Democrats breaking ranks to support the action while certain Republicans question its constitutional basis. Would Democratic lawmakers have approved conducting military strikes?
AOC’s Impeachment Call Triggers Republican Pushback
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has declared President Trump’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites without congressional approval as “absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.” The progressive Democrat claimed the President “impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations,” framing the strikes as a constitutional crisis rather than a national security measure.
Republicans swiftly condemned Ocasio-Cortez’s position, with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene calling her a “pathetic little hypocrite” for supporting military aid to Ukraine while criticizing action against Iran. Representative Mike Lawler highlighted what he views as a partisan double standard, noting that Democrats did not pursue impeachment when President Obama conducted similar military operations without explicit congressional authorization.
If you ever catch yourself agreeing with AOC, it might be time to get checked out.
Funny—I’m still searching for her post demanding Biden’s impeachment after he bombed Yemen. pic.twitter.com/8AnE6q32yQ
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) June 22, 2025
Unusual Cross-Party Alliances Form Over Iran Strikes
The controversy has created unexpected political alignments, with some Democrats breaking party lines to support President Trump’s military action. Senator John Fetterman and Congressman Josh Gottheimer, both Democrats, publicly backed the strikes, with Fetterman stating, “This was the correct move by POTUS, Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.”
Conversely, some Republicans have joined progressive Democrats in questioning the constitutionality of the strikes. Representatives Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson, along with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, expressed concerns about the legal basis for the action and America’s involvement in foreign conflicts, creating an unusual alliance with progressives like Ocasio-Cortez, albeit for different reasons.
Obama launched 563 drone strikes on Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia without a single declaration of war.
You didn't have a problem with it.
You didn’t impeach biden for his Middle East unconstitutional bombings either.
Who thinks AOC needs to STFU a d sit this one out? pic.twitter.com/tdp9PsZbuj
— Mrs Denosko🇺🇸 🌝 (@Denosko1) June 22, 2025
Implications for Trump’s Second Term
The heated exchange over Iranian strikes may foreshadow continued impeachment battles during Trump’s second term. Senator James Lankford warned that if Democrats regain control of Congress, “we are most certainly headed towards impeachment again,” describing it as “their favorite play.”
Dan Turrentine, a former aide to Hillary Clinton, defended Trump’s actions by comparing them to Obama’s operation against Osama bin Laden. The bipartisan nature of support for the strikes suggests that, despite vocal opposition from some progressives, any impeachment effort would face significant hurdles even among Democrats who view Iran’s nuclear program as a legitimate national security concern.
Communication gaps have further complicated the political fallout, with Democratic leaders criticizing the administration for allegedly only briefing Republican lawmakers before the strikes. Congressional leaders are now expecting comprehensive briefings from intelligence officials, with the Senate Intelligence Committee scheduled for closed-door meetings to assess the strikes’ impact on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and potential regional escalation.