Sen. Mike Rounds Defends Trump’s Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites

On Sunday, Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) stated that President Trump informed Congress about the military strike against an Iranian nuclear site within the 48-hour timeframe established by the War Powers Resolution.

During an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Rounds pushed back against those who assert that the president acted beyond his constitutional limits by ordering strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow.

“The Constitution clearly grants the President the authority to act on behalf of our nation,” Rounds remarked.

He emphasized that the War Powers Act was correctly followed, noting that Congressional leaders were notified within the required period. “They acted within their rights; the law was observed, and the Constitution was upheld,” he said.

Rounds mentioned that the constitutional framework aligns with the intentions of the founders. “The President is the commander-in-chief, responsible for national security. The founders were astute in how they designed the Constitution, recognizing that Congressional actions could be slow,” he added.

“This president adhered to that framework. It functions as the founders intended,” Rounds concluded.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed on Sunday that Congressional leaders had been made aware of the strike only after ensuring that the planes were safely out of Iranian airspace, claiming that the administration’s actions met the notification requirements outlined in the War Powers Act.

Reports indicate that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) were briefed on the strike. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the administration for failing to obtain Congressional permission and demanded a “complete and immediate explanation” regarding the strike during a classified briefing right after the attack.