Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has remained skeptical of the Trump administration’s “Operation Epic Fury,” despite previously saying he could support the use of military force against Iran.
In a statement over the weekend, the Georgia Democrat said President Donald Trump “has presented no evidence that Iran or its nuclear program – which he falsely claimed to have ‘obliterated’ – pose an imminent threat to the United States, or that diplomacy was exhausted.”
“Iran’s support for terrorism and uranium enrichment have long destabilized the region. But sending American forces into harm’s way should only ever be a last resort,” he added, warning against what he described as a potential “regime change war-of-choice.”
Ossoff said he plans to back a War Powers Resolution in Congress, expressing frustration that the military operation occurred “without the consent of Congress.” The Senate is expected to vote on Wednesday on a resolution aimed at limiting further U.S. military action, according to CBS News.
However, Ossoff struck a different tone during a 2017 congressional debate, when he said he would support military actions under certain circumstances.
“If Iran poses an imminent threat to Israel, to the United States, to any of our allies, then we should use force to prevent them from striking our allies,” Ossoff said at the time.
“And as we seek to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapons capability, if economic policy, diplomatic policy, are unsuccessful in dissuading them from developing a nuclear weapon, then we should be prepared to use force if necessary,” he said.
The Daily Wire reached out to Sen. Ossoff’s office and campaign to clarify what threshold he believes would justify military action and whether his position has changed.
Democrats have largely criticized the operation, though some have voiced support. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has defended the strikes.
“Every member in the U.S. Senate agrees we cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. I’m baffled why so many are unwilling to support the only action to achieve that,” Fetterman posted to X on Monday. “Empty sloganeering vs. commitment to global security — which is it?”
The debate is likely to spill into the campaign season. Ossoff is up for re-election this November in a race the Cook Political Report ranks as a “toss-up.” He could face Reps. Mike Collins or Buddy Carter, or former football coach Derek Dooley, depending on who wins the Republican primary.
“Jewish Georgians deserve a Senator they can count on to fight the antisemitism rampant in the Democrat Party. But Jon Ossoff says one thing in Georgia and then does another in D.C. — caving to pro-Hamas radicals,” Nick Puglia, National Republican Senatorial Committee Regional Press Secretary, said in a statement.
