EDITORIAL: Trump’s Iran bombing has SHAKEN the political world to its core

Why progressives must oppose both authoritarian regimes and unauthorized war

Last weekend, Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities—without congressional approval, without public debate, and without informing Democratic leadership. It was an act of war, carried out unilaterally by a president who once claimed to be “anti-war.” While MAGA world is now fractured—some cheering like it’s a video game, others like Tucker Carlson calling it a betrayal—the progressive response must be grounded in principle, not political calculation.

From a progressive, anti-authoritarian point of view, what Trump did was reckless, illegal, and immoral. But saying that doesn’t mean one supports Iran’s regime. In fact, it’s because I don’t support Iran’s authoritarian theocracy that I also reject Trump’s actions. That’s not a contradiction. That’s consistency.

Let’s begin with the bombing itself. There was no imminent threat presented to Congress. No compelling public evidence that Iran was days or weeks away from building a nuclear weapon. Tulsi Gabbard—Trump’s own Director of National Intelligence—publicly stated Iran is not close to securing a nuclear weapon. If that’s the case, what was the justification?

The truth is, there wasn’t one. Trump acted unilaterally, not out of national security urgency, but out of impulse and political optics. He bypassed Congress, ignored allies, and offered no coherent post-strike plan. That’s not leadership—it’s authoritarianism. A president cannot be allowed to start wars alone, and if we normalize that, we’re not defending democracy—we’re enabling empire.

And this isn’t just a procedural critique. When we demand congressional approval for military force, it’s not about red tape—it’s about accountability. It’s about debate, evidence, and restraint. The executive branch can’t be trusted with unchecked war powers, no matter who occupies the Oval Office.

Moreover, Trump’s strike may have backfired strategically. Rather than weaken the Iranian regime, it likely strengthened it. The mullahs will now rally their base by pointing to American aggression. Internal dissent—already growing—is easier to crush when you can paint protesters as traitors in league with foreign enemies. The democratic movement inside Iran is hurt, not helped, when the U.S. becomes the story.

Progressives must understand this dynamic. You don’t undermine authoritarian regimes by mirroring their behavior. You do it by standing with the people they oppress, not by bombing their infrastructure. You strengthen the case for democracy by practicing it, not abandoning it when convenient.

But let’s be clear: opposing Trump’s bombing does not mean turning a blind eye to the crimes of the Iranian regime. Iran’s government is a brutal, rights-violating theocracy. It jails women for showing their hair. It enforces mandatory dress codes and punishes dissent. LGBTQ+ Iranians face death simply for existing. Same-sex relationships are criminalized and can lead to execution under the Iranian penal code. Peaceful protesters are met with bullets and batons. Internet access is regularly shut down to stifle communication and organizing. Dissidents disappear without trial. This is not a free society. It is not even close.

So what does it mean to be a progressive in this moment? It means rejecting authoritarianism in any form—whether it comes from a theocratic regime in Tehran or a populist strongman in Washington. It means standing with the Iranian people—not their rulers. It means supporting democracy and human rights everywhere, not just when it’s politically convenient.

Too often, American politics demands binary thinking. If you oppose military intervention, people assume you must support the regime being bombed. If you denounce authoritarianism abroad, they accuse you of cheerleading for U.S. imperialism. Progressives must reject this false choice. We can—and must—walk and chew gum at the same time.

Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites was not an act of courage. It was not about national security. It was an abuse of power by a man who treats the presidency like a reality show. And it will have real, human consequences for the people of Iran—especially those already risking their lives to challenge their government from within.

So yes, progressives must oppose this bombing. Not out of loyalty to Iran’s government, but out of loyalty to our principles: democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. And we must oppose the Iranian regime just as fiercely. Both Trump and the Ayatollah rule through fear and force. As progressives, our job is to imagine—and fight for—something better.