Connecticut senator on Iran strike and ICE tensions
WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA) - Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about the U.S. and Israel launching a strike against Iran.
According to President Donald Trump and Iranian media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an attack earlier Saturday.
U.S. Central Command posted to X Sunday saying three U.S. service members were killed in Operation Epic Fury.
Following the strike, according to Brennan, Sen. Murphy called for Congress to return to D.C. and vote on whether to try to halt the military action.
When asked why he thinks he needs to take a vote as no War Powers Resolution has ever overcome a presidential veto, Murphy said:
"Nobody in this country is asking for war with Iran. Just like months ago, no one in this country was asking for war with Venezuela. This president is intentionally tanking our economy. He's the most corrupt president in the history of our nation, and Americans want him to focus on the crises here at home. Instead, he is busy getting us involved in quagmires overseas that already are becoming deadly to American soldiers. This is a disaster. It is illegal, and the president is obligated under the Constitution to come to Congress and ask for an authorization of military force. He wouldn't get that authorization if he asked for it. Congress wouldn't vote to give him the permission to do it, but he's obligated to come to Congress."
During the interview, Brennan and Murphy talked about tensions regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to Brennan, there are concerns about cyber vulnerabilities and potential threats to infrastructure, with the FBI and DHS putting out alerts about it.
In addition, Brennan said Republicans are calling on Democrats to reconsider their position of halting DHS funding, prompting her to ask Murphy if he feels the need to reconsider, to which he said:
"So the Republicans are saying that because they launched an illegal, disastrous war in Iran, we should give them permission to continue using ICE to murder American citizens, to allow them to get the funding to tear gas schools? No, we need to stand up for the American citizens that ICE is murdering, the kids that they are terrorizing. They should stop this illegal war, and they should stop ICE from terrorizing our communities. We should demand that they do both things."
Brennan followed up by asking the senator if he believes, with the current funding DHS has, they are able to protect the homeland in adequate fashion, and Murphy said:
"I believe that the administration should make a commitment to legally prosecuting the laws of this nation. I don't have any obligation to fund a Department of Homeland Security that is violating the law every day, just like I don't have any obligation to support this war that is illegal as well."
To watch more of Brennan's interview with Murphy, click here.
