U.S. Representative Don Beyer on May 1, 2026 sharply criticized Donald Trump over the ongoing conflict with Iran, arguing in a public post and accompanying video that the war was unnecessary, unlawful, and already causing widespread human and economic consequences.
In a post published at 9:03 a.m., Beyer wrote in full: “It’s been 60 days since Trump started this war against Iran. But this war should’ve never should’ve happened, and it needs to end. Now. Under the War Powers Act, this administration is now required withdraw our troops or make their case and seek Congressional authorization.”
In a video message accompanying the post, Beyer pointed to earlier diplomatic efforts, stating: “When I was US Ambassador to Switzerland, my number one priority was helping get Iran to the negotiating table. President Obama negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the JCPOA, which would have kept Iran from seeking a nuclear weapon for decades. But Donald Trump tore up that treaty.” He continued, “It’s now been more than two months since Donald Trump decided to wage a reckless, illegal war against Iran. He promised this war was necessary, but it would be quick and decisive. Instead, it’s clear that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States.”
Beyer described the current state of the conflict as unstable, adding, “the fighting hasn’t truly stopped, only slowed, held together by an extremely fragile ceasefire,” and emphasized that the war had already resulted in casualties and destruction. “We’ve lost thirteen American service members who were killed in action, and many more have been wounded, many with serious injuries. Thousands of Iranian civilians have been killed, including hundreds of children,” he said.
He also pointed to mounting financial and global impacts, stating, “The Pentagon just estimated the war has cost twenty-five billion so far, and I’m certain that’s a very low estimate. Others in the defense industrial base think fifty billion dollars is a lot closer.” He added that “Global energy markets are in complete disarray… Just yesterday, oil prices hit one hundred twenty-five dollars a barrel, two times higher than earlier this year,” while also warning that U.S. alliances had been strained and adversaries strengthened.
Beyer concluded that the war lacked public backing and clear direction, saying, “this war simply does not have the backing of the American people… there’s still no clear timeline and no clear end goal from the Trump administration.” He added, “The American people deserve to know when this war will end and what the plan is to clean up the global mess it’s created… This war should never have happened, and it should end immediately.”