By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 28 February 2026 07:43 PM EST
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., defended President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations in Iran during an interview on Saturday, dismissing criticism from fellow lawmakers amid debate over Congress’ war powers.
Van Orden stated that Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., were “barking up the wrong tree” following Massie’s post on X, in which he wrote: “When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran.”
During his interview on “The Count,” Van Orden asserted that President Trump was acting “completely within his constitutionally enumerated powers and within the legislation passed by Congress.”
“I fundamentally disagree with Mr. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie,” Van Orden said. “I think they’re barking up the wrong tree here.”
Van Orden referenced the 1973 War Powers Resolution, framing it as a timing issue. He explained: “The president of the United States is obligated by the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to report to Congress within 48 hours of any military operations he did. He is not required to have authorization from Congress until operations have been taking place for 60 days, which multiple presidents have ignored to begin with.”
“If there’s boots on the ground in Iran, then you have an additional 30 days to get them out without authorization from Congress,” Van Orden added.
Van Orden, who spent three decades in the military including as a Navy SEAL, emphasized that service members had everything they needed: “I want to speak directly to the moms and dads and kids of the active-duty service members that are conducting these operations. They have absolutely everything they need to do so safely and return home.”
He added: “Let me be crystal clear: I 100% support President Donald J. Trump’s decision to end the criminal Iranian regime’s ability to project power throughout the Middle East and Europe.”
“President Donald Trump is going to make sure that our service members have everything they need to conduct these operations to help promote peace into the future so they can get back to you,” Van Orden continued.
Van Orden noted that Iran sponsors proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have fueled regional instability and targeted U.S. allies.
“It’s time for this to end,” Van Orden concluded.
