1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing in a state of extreme urgency. The President of the United States is openly and repeatedly threatening to carry out attacks that would destroy civilian infrastructure across Iran—power plants, bridges, and essential systems that sustain tens of millions of people. He has spoken about sending an entire nation “back to the Stone Ages,” warned that “all Hell will reign down,” and has used language that amounts to calling for the destruction of an entire civilization. This is not just reckless rhetoric. It is a threat of mass destruction directed at a civilian population. At this scale, it raises grave concerns not only of war crimes, but of actions that could amount to a threat of genocide. These are not offhand remarks. They are explicit statements of intent. Under the Geneva Conventions, the U.N. Charter, and long-established laws of armed conflict, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure is prohibited. These are not gray areas. These are foundational rules designed to prevent exactly this kind of devastation. The principles of distinction and proportionality exist to protect civilian life. What is being described would violate them. And yet, the threats continue—and escalate. From the Commander in Chief of the most powerful military in the world, this rhetoric is not just irresponsible—it is terrifying. It signals intent. It creates risk. And it places millions of civilian lives in immediate danger. At the same time, there is no congressional authorization for this war, no clear legal justification, and no coherent strategy. The administration’s messaging is erratic. Reports of instability within defense leadership only heighten the concern that decisions of enormous consequence are being made without discipline, restraint, or accountability. This is an emergency. If these threats are carried out, the consequences will be immediate and irreversible—mass civilian suffering, regional war, global economic shock, and long-term environmental damage. The damage will reverberate for generations. Congress cannot meet this moment with statements alone. The time for restraint and deference has passed. The Constitution requires Congress to act as a check on precisely this kind of executive overreach—especially when it risks unlawful war and catastrophic harm. I am calling on you to take immediate, concrete action: • Publicly and unequivocally condemn the President’s threats to target civilian infrastructure and his rhetoric suggesting the destruction of an entire civilization. • Move to block any and all funding that could be used to carry out these attacks. • Invoke Congress’s war powers to halt unauthorized military action immediately. • Demand emergency hearings and continuous oversight of military operations and legal justifications. • Call for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. • Pursue all available constitutional mechanisms to remove the President from office, as he has demonstrated that he is unfit to serve and poses a clear and present danger through his actions. This is not a symbolic request. The President is demonstrating a willingness to ignore the law, disregard civilian life, and escalate conflict in ways that could lead to catastrophe. If Congress fails to act decisively, it risks enabling outcomes that cannot be undone. There is no time left for normal process. No time for political calculation. No time for silence. Act now!