'Stupid and reckless': Senator Van Hollen says Trump dragged U.S. into Israel's war
Even as President Donald Trump assured the Iran conflict will end soon, Democratic lawmakers continued their attack on the Trump administration, claiming that the President is clueless about the situation. In a recent post on X, Senator Chris Van Hollen accused the Trump Administration of dragging the U.S. into a war that Israel had wanted for 40 years. Sharing a video with a clip of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Van Hollen accused Trump of being "the first president stupid & reckless enough to put American lives at risk in support of Israeli PM Netanyahu's 40-year quest for a regime change war in Iran."
On the campaign trail, Trump pledged he would not drag America into another war.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) March 11, 2026
Then he became the first president stupid & reckless enough to put American lives at risk in support of Israeli PM Netanyahu's 40-year quest for a regime change war in Iran. pic.twitter.com/MibhTTvjEw
Democratic criticism of Operation Epic Fury under President Trump has intensified following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that began on February 28, 2026, with several lawmakers questioning whether the President himself is sure of the operation's objectives. "Trump is still far from achieving any of his military goals, even narrower goals of destroying Iran’s missiles & production capacity," Senator Richard Blumenthal wrote in a post on X.
Trump is still far from achieving any of his military goals, even narrower goals of destroying Iran’s missiles & production capacity. Meanwhile, widening war will have escalating economic impacts, especially as China & Russia enter more actively. https://t.co/wTJ1dX6GmM
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) March 11, 2026
The statements come even as President Trump, the White House, and the Department of War have indicated that the conflict might be heading towards an end. A clear timeline on how soon remains ambiguous. Meanwhile, Axios reported that Trump said he can end the Iran conflict anytime he wants. The President, however, told Axios that he will not allow Iran to "get off that easy."
Despite the President's assurances, analysts still remain wary of the situation, with no concrete plans announced yet to reopen shipment through the Strait of Hormuz. In the last 24 hours, at least three cargo vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the strait, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) informed without naming any country. Despite Trump's threats of escalating the attack on Iran, Tehran has continued to state it will not allow trade vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
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.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 11, 2026
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:
Considering the gravity of the situation, the International Energy Agency approved their largest ever release of oil reserves at 400 million barrels, hoping to offset the supply lost due to Iran's blockade. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council will be voting on two competing draft resolutions. While the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has sponsored a draft resolution demanding that Iran stop its attacks against Gulf nations, condemning Tehran's attacks, Russia is expected to introduce its own measure that will urge all parties to return to the negotiation table.
