The Trump administration, despite its previous criticism of military action in the Middle East, launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Saturday, as announced by President Donald Trump in a video statement. The move sparked criticism due to Trump’s prior assurances against involving the U.S. in wars.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, criticized figures like former Rep. Liz Cheney and Vice President Kamala Harris for their foreign policy stances. Miller accused them of being hawkish, contrasting their positions with Trump’s peace-oriented promises. Left-wing commentator Judd Legum highlighted an op-ed by Vice President JD Vance, who praised Trump’s first term for not initiating wars despite external pressures. Former Democratic Representative and now Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, also once advocated against war with Iran, reflecting on her military background.
During Trump’s first term, military actions included the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and strikes on Syria. In June 2025, the U.S. conducted a significant operation against Iran’s nuclear sites, utilizing advanced bombers and inflicting major damage without American casualties. The White House did not comment on its recent military actions.