AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): A wave of unprecedented criticism against Donald Trump following his recent threats against Iran has inflamed the U.S. political landscape, with a number of officials, lawmakers, and even his former allies describing the president's tone and approach as "dangerous," "unethical," and "destabilizing."
In the latest remarks at the congressional level, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump supporter, also openly distanced herself from him, describing the threat to destroy "an entire civilization" as "evil and madness." She stated, "Not even one bomb has hit America; we cannot destroy an entire civilization."
Greene also called for the use of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump.
In one of the sharpest reactions, a U.S. official, speaking to Axios, called Trump the "most bloodthirsty person" and compared him to a "mad dog." This official claimed that the president's approach toward Iran is unprecedentedly aggressive and outside the conventional frameworks of foreign policy.
Meanwhile, another U.S. government official, rejecting speculation about the role of Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth in encouraging Trump to adopt these positions, emphasized that these two figures appear "like doves of peace" compared to the president.
Among Democrats, calls for activating the 25th Amendment have become more widespread. Yassamin Ansari, an Iranian-American representative, described Trump as "a madman and a threat to national security" and explicitly called for his removal.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, described Trump's recent message as "disgusting and out of control," writing, "Something is deeply wrong with this individual."
Melanie Stansbury, a U.S. representative from New Mexico, wrote in a message referring to Trump's failure in the war with Iran, "The emperor has no clothes. The time has come to invoke the 25th Amendment. Congress and the Cabinet must act."
Moderate Senator Elissa Slotkin also warned that targeting power plants and bridges violates the Geneva Conventions and even contradicts internal Pentagon guidelines. She emphasized that such actions are "both irresponsible and wrong," especially when the administration claims its goal is to help the people of Iran.
On the progressive flank, Bernie Sanders, in sharper tones, called Trump's remarks "the ravings of a dangerous and mentally unstable individual" and called on Congress to take immediate action to end the war.
Senator Jeff Merkley also emphasized that the U.S. military is obligated to refuse to carry out unlawful orders, including the commission of war crimes, describing Trump's remarks as "the statements of an immoral madman."
He continued, "To our military commanders: Remember this — you are legally obligated to refuse to carry out orders that would amount to war crimes."
Bob Raff, a U.S. senator from Connecticut, stated in a message, "Today's post on Truth Social from the individual sitting in the Oval Office demonstrates instability and improper temperament, endangering all Americans."
This senator emphasized, "The time has come for Republicans to stand with us and either call for the invocation of the 25th Amendment or initiate a vote under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution."
According to Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
However, the intensity and breadth of domestic criticism, particularly from current and former U.S. officials, indicate a deep divide in the assessment of Trump's policies—a divide increasingly intertwined with questions about his psychological stability, the legal legitimacy of his actions, and the human consequences of these policies.
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