RT breaks down public and Capitol Hill reactions to the new Middle East war, launched days before election season
US President Donald Trump’s order to attack Iran has drawn mixed reactions among Americans, with polls showing a clear public split and statements from lawmakers exposing divisions within both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Trump claimed the joint US-Israeli military campaign, launched on Saturday and dubbed ‘Operation Epic Fury’, was necessary to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Tehran insisted the strikes were entirely unprovoked and has retaliated with missiles and drones targeting Israel and US bases across the Middle East.
Analysts note the campaign, launched mere days before primary contests begin for the November midterm general elections in the US, has the lowest starting support in modern American history. RT breaks down the numbers.
How has the US general public reacted?
Opinion polls showed growing public discontent with the campaign. A YouGov snap poll conducted on the first day of the strikes found 34% of Americans supported the action, with 44% opposed, marking a historic low in initial support for a major US military campaign – as opposed to the war in Afghanistan (92% initial approval) and the Iraq War (71%).
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released the next day showed even lower backing, with just 27% approving of the US strikes against Iran and 43% opposed. Moreover, 56% – including one in four Republicans – said Trump is “too willing to use military force” under the pretext of advancing US interests. Many said their support hinges on the potential deaths of US troops in the conflict, the first of which were reported by US Central Command on Sunday night. CENTCOM initially said three service members had been killed and several wounded since the operation began, later updating the death toll to six.
A CNN poll conducted by SSRS and released on Monday found nearly six in ten Americans (59%) oppose military action against Iran. Some 60% believe Trump lacks a clear plan, and 62% say he should be required to obtain congressional approval for further action.
What have the Republicans said?
Reaction on Capitol Hill has been split, reflecting divisions in both parties and bipartisan concern that Trump failed to seek legally required congressional authorization for a preemptive strike. Earlier reports said Secretary of State Marco Rubio only notified the ‘Gang of Eight’ – a small bipartisan group of congressional leaders – hours before the operation began.
Most Republican senators have defended Trump’s decision. Lindsey Graham praised him for “setting in motion the end of evil and darkness” in the Middle East. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Iran is “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” arguing Trump made “every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions” before ordering strikes. Senator Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the campaign a “vital mission of vengeance, and justice, and safety.”
However, a faction of Republicans has broken ranks, citing constitutional concerns and a betrayal of campaign promises. Thomas Massie, a GOP congressman from Kentucky, said the war contradicts Trump’s “America First” slogan. Senator Rand Paul opposed the strikes on constitutional grounds, saying the power to declare war belongs to Congress. Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene accused the administration of abandoning its “no more foreign wars” platform, calling the escalation a letdown for the MAGA movement.
What do the Democrats think?
Most Democrats have condemned the operation as an unauthorized “war of choice.”
“Trump is drawing our country into yet another foreign war that Americans don’t want and Congress has not authorized,” Senator Adam Schiff said.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed the stance, while Senator Bernie Sanders called the strikes “an illegal, premeditated, and unconstitutional war” that violates international law. Chris Van Hollen said it amounts to a “regime-change war,” and Senator Mark Warner questioned the timing and long-term plan, warning of a potential “quagmire” or “forever war” without a clear endgame.
Some, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and California Governor Gavin Newsom, challenged the administration’s claim that Iran poses an “imminent threat” to the US. Senator Tim Kaine called the strikes “a colossal mistake” and said he would force a vote this week on a war powers resolution to curb Trump’s ability to use force in Iran without congressional approval.
Some Democrats, however, offered more tempered responses and in some cases backed Trump. Representatives Greg Landsman and Tom Suozzi defended the strikes, arguing a nuclear-armed Iran is an unacceptable threat. Henry Cuellar of Texas said the threat from Iran is “real and longstanding,” and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey praised the administration’s “decisive action” to defend American interests and allies.
How has Trump’s overall approval rating fared so far?
Polling suggests Trump has not received the typical “rally-round-the-flag” boost associated with new military conflicts. Instead, his approval has remained flat or edged down.
Most major trackers, including RealClearPolling, place his approval between 39% and 44%, with disapproval between 54% and 60%, leaving independent support at approximately 32%. Ipsos reported a slight dip to 39%, noting the strikes failed to expand support beyond Trump’s core base.
Trackers show Trump’s backing comes almost entirely from Republicans (roughly 80-87%), while Democrats remain largely critical.
What has Trump said?
The US president has dismissed polls showing lagging support for his decision to attack Iran.
“I don’t care about polling. I have to do the right thing… This should have been done a long time ago,” Trump told the New York Post in an interview published on Monday.
“Look, whether polling is low or not, I think the polling is probably fine. But it’s not a question of polling. You cannot let Iran, who’s a nation that has been run by crazy people, have a nuclear weapon,” he added, claiming that “a real poll” would show Americans support his actions.
“I think people are very impressed with what is happening, actually,” Trump said. “I think it’s a silent – if you did a real poll, the silent poll – and it’s like a silent majority.”
Trump earlier insisted the campaign will continue until “all objectives are met,” urged Iran’s leadership and military “to lay down your arms” or “face certain death,” and called on ordinary Iranians to topple their government.
How has Republicans’ standing been affected ahead of the midterms?
Media reports note the conflict has already shaken up the 2026 primaries, jolting late-stage campaigning for early contests such as those in Texas on March 3. Analysts argue the strikes have complicated GOP messaging: after campaigning on ending “forever wars” and prioritizing domestic issues – a stance that resonated with working-class and independent voters and was codified in Trump’s recently released National Security Strategy – Republicans now risk losing the anti-interventionist edge they once held over Democrats. Critics say the primaries could become a referendum on candidates who offered ambivalent responses to Trump’s Iran operation or openly opposed it.
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