I know it's uncomfortable for political leaders to wade into the conversation that's happening in this country in the aftermath of the murder of the United Health CEO. But we need to listen to what people are feeling. And act.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Air power is how a nation projects extra-territorial power. And how you protect your own airspace.
But drones are replacing airplanes. And we CANNOT destroy all their drones. Their drone attacks continue. jpost.com/middle-east/ir…
3/ Rubio Objective 2: Destroy their navy.
Ok, but for what? Their "navy" isn't what closes the Strait of Hormuz. It's thousands of speed boats and suicide boats. And like their drones, we can't destroy them all.
Trump's illegal attack on Iran has set off regional war. The latest - Israel's ground invasion of Lebanon. 800 are already dead.
1/ Tonight, I want to walk you thru a🧵on how devastating this new war could be, and how Trump's blunder set it in motion. theguardian.com/world/2026/mar…
2/ Iran's terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, operates out of Lebanon. Fierce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah broke out after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. It lasted for a year until a ceasefire in November 2024. Trump inherited this ceasefire. washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysi…
3/ But Trump inherited something else good: a new Lebanese government - the most competent in decades - that was open to confronting Hezbollah. And this was the only real, long term solution - the Lebanese government taking full control of the country. nytimes.com/2026/03/06/wor…
It’s crystal clear now that Trump has lost control of this war. He badly misjudged Iran’s ability to retaliate. The region is on fire.
1/ I’m going to explain to you in this🧵what I’ve learned - in part from closed door briefings - about the four biggest current crises.
2/ CRISIS ONE: Trump believed Iran would not close the Strait of Hormuz. He was wrong. And now oil prices are spiking.
If the Strait stays closed, a global recession will result. It actually may already be too late. Gas prices are the first to spike, but food prices are next.
2/ Right now, Trump has no plan to reopen the Strait. And a plan may not exist.
The assets Iran uses to harass and attack tankers - thousands of small drones, speed boats and mines - cannot be eliminated. They are too numerous, too spread out and hidden. foxnews.com/world/iran-dep…
I was in a 2 hour briefing today on the Iran War. All the briefings are closed, because Trump can't defend this war in public.
I obviously can't disclose classified info, but you deserve to know how incoherent and incomplete these war plans are.
1/ Here's what I can share:
2/ Maybe the lead is that the war goals DO NOT involve destroying Iran's nuclear weapons program. This is, uh...surprising...since Trump says over and over this is a key goal.
But then of course we already know air strikes can't wipe out their nuclear material.
3/ Second, they confirmed "regime change" is also NOT on the list. So, they are going to spend hundreds of billions of your taxpayer dollars, get a whole bunch of Americans killed, and a hardline regime - probably a MORE anti-American hardline regime - will still be in charge.
Democrats MUST insist on a vote on an Authorization of Military Force (an AUMF) for Trump’s war in Iran.
My friend @TimKaine is leading the charge on a War Powers Resolution (WPR) that I support. But it's not a substitute for an AUMF.
1/ A 🧵on the difference. It's important.
2/ What’s the difference? A WPR is a vote AGAINST war.
I’m a co-sponsor of the WPR. But even if Congress passes it, Trump won’t sign it. It's basically symbolic.
3/ An AUMF is a vote FOR war. Trump doesn’t want to come to Congress with legislation authorizing his war because he’d need 60 votes in the Senate (which he likely wouldn't get), and it would force tough questions around the cost, timelines, and specific goals of the war.
Last night I went to the Senate to detail ICE's horrific abuse and violation of the law. I came armed with specific examples.
I'm sharing my speech here bc you need to know why we cannot give ICE another dime.
1/ It starts w the dystopian, roving "show your papers" patrols.
2/ Masked, unidentified men, driving unmarked cars now patrol American streets, dragging Americans out of their vehicles and terrorizing communities. Totally illegal. Reminiscent of Stalin and Pinochet. Fundamentally unAmerican.
3/ No place is safe. ICE ambushes churches, chases kids at bus stops, and tear gasses schools.