Trump decision to attack Iran betrays views of Americans

A majority of Americans from all parties oppose AMerican intervention in Israel's war againnst Iran. Despite that and after suggesting he would take time, Trump launched a surprise attack Saturday

By Ray Hanania

FREE/Israel, Iran, War/Sunday, June 22, 2025

Many MAGA Republicans and Trump supporters want the president to focus on the economy and other domestic issues, not enter a war with Israel against Iran

Opposition to the U.S. military entering the war is across the board with majorities of all partisan political parties, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents

A recent poll this week from the Economist and YouGov shows a majority of Americans are opposed to the United States military entering the Israel war against Iran.

The poll, released June 17, also showed that most Americans also prefer that the U.S. Government re-engage in negotiations with Iran over curtailing its nuclear program goals. Click to view.

Despite the poll results, President Donald Trump went ahead with ordering a surprise attack against Iran on Saturday after spending days suggesting he would decide in “two weeks.” Trump’s hope was to re-engage negotiations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made that announcement from Trump on June 19, telling reporters, "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks."

The pressure on Trump mounted from the pro-Israel movement in the U.S. to pressure America to enter and help swing the war in Israel’s favor.

Trump’s action contradicts the will of the American people.

The poll shows that opposition to entering the war is non-partisan, with a majority of Democrats (65 percent), Republicans (53 percent), and Independents (61 percent) expressing this view.

The poll does show that 24 percent of Americans see Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons as “an immediate and serious threat” to their country, with 37 percent see it as a “somewhat serious threat.”

One of the strongest voices against US intervention in the Israel war on Iran comes from President Trump’s own MAGA party leadership, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican representing Georgia’s 14th District.

Rep. Greene has posted repeatedly on X (Twitter) calls against militarily intervening saying the American people want the government to focus on other more pressing issues.

"Americans want cheap gas, groceries, bills, and housing. They want affordable insurance, safe communities, and a good education for their children,” Greene posted on June 17. “Not going into another foreign war."

Two days later, Greene expressed support for Trump’s decision to delay entering the war, posting, “I’m so glad President Trump is giving time for diplomacy to work with Iran and Israel. Every other American President would be dropping bombs already killing many innocent people, and the neocon warmongers would be celebrating without a care of innocent lives slaughtered.”

Other MAGA Republicans who have expressed concerns about entering the war and resisting the intense pressures from the Israel lobby, which wants the U.S. intervention, include US Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky,) who co-sponsored the War Powers Resolution that seeks to prevent the U.S. from engaging in hostilities against Iran without congressional approval.

Senators Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) both expressed opposition to the U.S. entering the conflict. And U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee) said Israel does not need American troops to fight in the conflict and that Israel can handle the conflict itself.

The Economist/YouGov poll shows that 56 percent of Americans support the U.S. returning to the negotiating table with Iran, including a majority of respondents from each political party: Democrats 58 percent, Republicans 61 percent, and Independents 51 percent.

Israel attacked Iran on June 13 while US and Iranian representatives were negotiating limits to Iran’s nuclear program to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a Nuclear weapon.

Israel claimed to have targeted nuclear development facilities, military bases as well as the homes and offices of senior military and regime officials. The strikes killed 78 Iranians and seriously injured 320.

Among those killed were leaders of Iran’s military, including Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, according to CNN. Additionally, multiple nuclear scientists, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were targeted and killed.

Iran immediately responded to Israel’s attack, firing missiles at Tel Aviv, injuring 34 people. Since the attack began, the number of killed and injured has soared, and both countries have sustained major damage to government and military sites as well as civilian buildings and hospitals.

There is agrowing fear

The poll also reflected American views on other issues including showing Trump’s approval numbers are matching second-term lows, the issue of immigration and ICE crackdown as "splitting the country,” and a growing negative view and declining support for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his actions as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.