See what Louisiana's members of Congress said about the attack on Iran - NOLA.com

WASHINGTON — Louisiana Republicans in Congress were quick to rally around President Donald Trump after he ordered an attack on Iran Saturday morning.

Democratic members of the state’s delegation were more cautious, calling on the Trump administration for further clarification on the president’s plan and legal authority.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, said he had been briefed on the situation and has been kept up-to-date by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans — and even their own people,” Johnson said in a statement. “For decades, Iran has defiantly maintained its nuclear program while arming and funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other internationally recognized terrorist organizations. Iran and its proxies have menaced America and American lives, undermined our core national interests, systematically destabilized the Middle East, and threatened the security of the entire West.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, was one of the first in Congress to announce his support of the military strikes by the U.S. and Israel with the stated goal of eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“The President has worked tirelessly to establish a lasting peace through diplomacy with Iran. Instead, Iran continued to pursue their sinister ambitions, promoting terrorism, developing missiles, attempting to rebuild their nuclear program, and posing an imminent threat to the security of the United States and our allies,” Scalise wrote on X. “We can never allow the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon.”

The Trump administration held three rounds of negotiations with Iranian officials on limiting the nation’s nuclear program. Trump said Friday he was “not thrilled” with the talks.

“They can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in a speech.

With the help of Israel, the U.S. launched massive and ongoing strikes Saturday morning targeting Iranian leaders and military.

Soon after America woke up to the news, incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, wrote on social media: “The President’s decision to attack Iran presumably was based upon a clear and present danger to the United States, and a planned execution that does not put the United States in a forever war. We pray for the safety and success of our servicemen and servicewomen.”

Cassidy is seeking a third term but faces a tough closed primary May 16 against a number of conservative Republicans including Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, who has Trump’s endorsement.

Letlow’s office released a statement: "Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and actively plots to kill Americans. President Trump’s decisive strikes send a message that America will not tolerate Iran’s threats to our national security. May God bless our troops and keep them safe as we confront radical Islamic terrorism and seek lasting peace."

After reports surfaced that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the attacks, Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, posted on X: "Khamenei chose war. He paid with his life."

Kennedy addressed the situation in a speech on the Senate floor Friday before the strikes began.

“Put down the nuclear weapons. Put down the nuclear enrichment. Stop exporting terrorism to Hamas and Hezbollah. End your missile program. Stop killing and torturing your people. That’s all we want,” Kennedy said. “I’m not about to give the president any advice. He has intelligence that I don’t have, and I respect the fact that he’s being very deliberate and careful in making the decision.”

“In the South, we give fair warning before we crack a jaw. I would say 46 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days is fair warning,” Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, wrote on X Saturday afternoon.

Trump told Iranians there may never be a better chance to overthrow the theocratic regime that has ruled the Islamic Republic of Iran since March 1979.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said.

Louisiana’s Democratic members of Congress didn’t condemn the attack but asked Trump for further information on his plans and legal authority to strike.

“Any use of military force demands serious consideration with a clear and coordinated plan,” said Rep. Troy Carter Sr., D-New Orleans. “The American people deserve to understand the objectives, the risks, and the path forward. My focus is protecting American lives, supporting our troops, and ensuring Congress plays its proper constitutional role.”

Carter’s wife, Ana, is a two-star general in the Army Reserve.

Carter later said in a statement: “History has shown that conflicts involving Iran rarely stay contained. With partners and proxy forces operating throughout the region, the potential for escalation is real, and the consequences could reach far beyond.”

Air raid warnings set off all over Israel, the United Arab Emirates and five other countries as well as American bases in the Middle East as Iran launched missiles in a counterattack.

Many Democrats and some Republicans are calling on Congress to vote Monday on a war powers resolution. The Constitution gives only Congress the right to declare war. Over the years, however, presidents have been able to call for military strikes in emergency situations.

“While I understand the gravity of the threat, the process here cannot be ignored,” Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, said in a statement. “The War Powers Act exists for a reason: to ensure that no single person can commit this nation to war without accountability to the American people. President Trump had ample time to come before Congress, fulfill his legal obligations, and bring transparency to his decision-making — he chose not to. That is not a procedural oversight; it is a deliberate decision to sideline the legislative branch and concentrate war-making authority in the executive branch.”

This is a developing story.