“Worst Weapon of Mass Destruction”: Vance Defends Nuclear Non-Proliferation Strikes

Vice President Vance, defending the Trump administration’s precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites, invoked the threat of nuclear proliferation, stating on “Meet The Press” that the President has “clear authority to act to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the worst weapon of mass destruction of them all is nuclear.” This justification comes as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a massive B-2 bomber strike on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, faces legal challenges for being conducted without congressional approval. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the limited, targeted nature of the strike, aiming to disrupt nuclear weaponization.
Rubio emphasized on “Face The Nation” that the strike was “designed to degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions,” explicitly denying it was a “regime change move.” Vance, while acknowledging public fatigue with Middle East conflicts, affirmed the President’s “clear authority” to prevent WMD proliferation, promising a swift resolution.
However, the lack of transparency and congressional input has fueled bipartisan criticism. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), co-author of a War Powers Resolution, contended on “Face The Nation” that “no imminent threat” justified bypassing Congress, criticizing lawmakers for not addressing the issue.
Despite Massie’s minority view in his party, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump, citing an “imminent danger” that justified immediate action and claiming congressional awareness of the urgency. He also maintained Trump’s respect for Article I. Nevertheless, Democrats were reportedly kept in the dark until U.S. forces left Iranian airspace. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) decried the move on CBS, highlighting increased risks for American troops and stating the “massive set of Tomahawk missiles and B-2 bombers” clearly constituted “hostilities” requiring congressional authorization. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) echoed this, emphasizing the increased danger to forces without an “imminent threat.”