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

I am writing again to demand immediate action to end the escalating war in Iran. Each day this conflict continues, the humanitarian, geopolitical, and moral consequences grow worse. Across the region, civilians are paying the price. Israeli military operations in Lebanon have displaced hundreds of thousands of innocent people, forcing families from their homes and destabilizing entire communities. Inside Iran, the situation is even more alarming. Reporting from Tehran describes widespread and indiscriminate bombing across one of the largest cities in the Middle East. Witnesses have warned that if the bombing continues at this pace, “nothing will remain of Tehran.” Millions of civilians live in that city. The destruction of a metropolis on that scale would be an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe. This war continues despite the fact that it is deeply unpopular with the American public. Americans do not want another Middle East war. They do not want an open-ended regional conflict with no clear objectives, no congressional authorization, and no credible plan for how it ends. The geopolitical consequences are already becoming clear. In an attempt to manage rising global oil prices triggered by this conflict, the United States has reportedly loosened restrictions on Russian oil exports. That decision benefits Russia directly while undermining Ukraine—the very country we have been supporting against Russian aggression. This war is strengthening one of America’s principal adversaries while weakening an ally fighting for its survival. But perhaps most disturbing of all is the reckless rhetoric coming from the Department of Defense. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has publicly dismissed the safeguards meant to protect civilians, referring to rules of engagement as “stupid” and signaling that U.S. military operations will not be constrained by what he calls “political correctness.” Rules of engagement and the laws of armed conflict exist precisely to prevent atrocities and to maintain discipline and legitimacy in military operations. When the Secretary of Defense mocks those safeguards, it sends a chilling message to the world about how this war may be conducted. This is not serious leadership. It is reckless, immature, and dangerous. A person who treats war with this level of bravado while wielding enormous military power is unfit to serve in this role. His rhetoric alone damages American credibility and increases the risk of catastrophic civilian harm. Congress cannot remain passive while this unfolds. • You must demand the immediate removal of Secretary Hegseth from his position. • You must require the President to appear before Congress and publicly justify this war. • You must launch full investigative hearings into the decision to initiate hostilities without congressional authorization. • You must pass legislation reasserting Congress’s constitutional authority over war. • You must refuse to move forward with normal legislative business while this illegal conflict continues without accountability. The President does not have the authority to drag the United States into a major war without answering to the American people through their elected representatives. The Constitution is clear about this. If that principle collapses, the balance of power in our democracy collapses with it. This war is destabilizing an entire region, threatening countless civilian lives, damaging America’s credibility, and strengthening authoritarian adversaries. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Defense appears more interested in swagger than responsibility. Congress must act with urgency and courage. Demand answers. Demand accountability. Stop this war before it spirals even further out of control. Your constituents are watching.