Remarks on the lack of justification for the Iran war
Gary PetersU.S. Senator, Michigan; Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Peters said there was no evidence of the imminent threat that would justify the strikes on Iran, criticized Republican colleagues as 'a rubber stamp to the president,' and pressed the Defense Department for a clear strategy and exit plan, saying his constituents 'do not want to send their sons and daughters to war.'
“The president needs to protect us, and we want him or her to do that if there's an imminent threat. But that didn't occur here as far as we can see, there's no evidence.”
Reporting
Other statements by Gary Peters in this case
- Senate vote: Yea on H.Con.Res. 86 (Iran war powers)Later: Condemned
- Senate vote: Yea on H.Con.Res. 89 (Iran war powers)Later: Condemned
Where this statement fits
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 congressional candidates stand on continued U.S. military operations against Iran, based on their votes, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Michigan Public report on the state's congressional delegation reacting to the strikes on Iran, quoting Sen. Gary Peters saying there was no evidence of an imminent threat and calling Republican colleagues 'a rubber stamp to the president.'
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Days after the February 28, 2026 strikes began, Peters spoke to Michigan Public's Stateside on March 3 and questioned Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby at a March 4 Senate Armed Services hearing. Peters is retiring; his seat is contested by Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers.
After the quotation
Peters voted yea on H.Con.Res. 86 on June 23. At a July 21 hearing he called Defense Secretary Hegseth a 'failure' and said the administration had created another 'forever war.'
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Denies the war's stated justification (no imminent threat) and demands congressional oversight, a direct challenge to the war's legitimacy.
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More from this case
Read the full caseBetty McCollum says she will not give the Pentagon a blank check for the Iran war
“When the 120th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, Democrats will hold a majority in the House. I will serve as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I will not give the Department of Defense a blank check for President Trump’s war.”Read statement
Chuck Schumer says Democrats will end the Iran war and points to the power of the purse
“We are going to end the war. We have some Republicans already who have joined us in ending the war, and the Founding Fathers had the power of the purse as one of the ways of deterring a president who does war without the consent of the American people”Read statement
Ro Khanna says Congress should stop funding further U.S. action in the Iran war
“I would stop the funding — the House and the Senate should stop the funding for any further actions in the Iran War”Read statement
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- Remarks on the lack of justification for the Iran war
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The Dispute Index. "Remarks on the lack of justification for the Iran war". First published: 2026-09-24. Last updated: 2026-09-24. https://disputeindex.com/events/1586-peters-said-there-was-no-evidence-of-the