Trump was wrong to bomb Iran. Democrats must be the antiwar party.
At a moment when our country is looking for strong antiwar leadership, Democrats must be the party of peace — peace abroad and good-paying jobs at home. Being the party of peace does not mean that we are the party of pacifism or a party of isolationism. It means that we oppose wars of choice. It means that we reject the Beltway establishment that is pushing for war.
War is a terrible thing: It is economically costly, it tears apart families, and innocent people die. Wars should only be fought in the face of an actual attack or imminent threat of attack, and then only when diplomacy has been exhausted and there is no way to repel the attack except through force. They should not be fought for territorial expansion, glory, or regime change.
Advertisement
Vietnam was a war of choice, which the United States should not have fought. The Iraq War was a war of choice that
Advertisement
How do Democrats become the antiwar party? We can start by standing firmly for diplomacy, the Constitution, and for our priorities at home — good-paying jobs, affordable health care, education — instead of endless conflict.
Trump should not have ordered strikes on Iran. It is in America's national security interest to stop Iran from having a bomb, but the US attack reportedly only
What comes next is most important. We need to ensure that the cease-fire holds and that we have diplomacy that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
We know that diplomacy works. Former president Barack Obama's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action limited enrichment to
Advertisement
We also need to prevent any further escalation with Iran without the authorization of Congress. That is why Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and I introduced a bipartisan
It is easier to start a war than to end one. Democrats have to be the voice of restraint and principled diplomacy. As the party of peace, we can offer a vision — one where we invest in improving the lives of working-class people. That is how we build a stronger democracy where everyone can thrive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jobs data, trade and fiscal policies in focus with S&P 500 on cusp of record
By Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK (Reuters) -Investors who have been captivated by recent geopolitical events are poised to shift their attention in the coming week to key economic data and looming policy deadlines to see if the torrid rally in U.S. stocks extends higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 tallied a record high this week while the benchmark S&P 500 moved to the cusp of an all-time peak. Easing tensions in the Middle East paved the way for the latest bump higher in stocks, as a conflict between Israel and Iran appeared to calm after missile strikes between the two nations had set the world on edge. Focus will shift to Washington in the coming week. President Donald Trump wants his fellow Republicans to pass a sweeping tax-cut and spending bill by July 4, while developments between the United States and trading partners are poised to capture headlines with Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs set to take effect the following week. Investors also get a crucial view into the U.S. economy with the monthly employment report due on Thursday. U.S. stock markets are closed on Friday, July 4, for the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Citigroup's U.S. economic surprise index has been weakening, indicating that data has been missing Wall Street expectations, said Matthew Miskin, co-chief investment strategist at Manulife John Hancock Investments. "After some softer May data, the June data is really going to be under a microscope," Miskin said. "If the data deteriorates more, it may get the market's attention." U.S. employment is expected to have climbed by 129,000 jobs in June, according to a Reuters poll -- a modest slowdown from May's 139,000 increase. Data on Thursday showed the number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell in the prior week, but the unemployment rate could rise in June as more laid off people struggle to find work. "The labor market right now is front and center over the next few weeks," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management. Employment data could factor into expectations for when the Federal Reserve will next cut interest rates, with investors also watching to see if inflation is calming enough to allow for lower rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has been wary that higher tariffs could begin raising inflation, a view he told the U.S. Congress this week, although some Fed officials have talked about a stronger case for cuts and Fed fund futures trading in the past week indicated ramped-up bets for more easing this year. The level of tariffs will come into sharper view with a July 9 deadline for higher levies on a broad set of countries. Stocks have rebounded sharply since plunging in April following Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, as the president pulled back on some of the most severe tariffs and fears about a recession eased, but markets could remain sensitive to any developments. Investors also will focus on the U.S. fiscal bill in Congress for indication of the extent of stimulus in the legislation and how much it could widen federal deficits. With a roller-coaster first half nearly complete, the S&P 500 is up more than 4% so far in 2025. Recent history has shown July has been a strong month for stocks, with the S&P 500 increasing 2.9% in July on average over the past 15 years, Wedbush analysts noted in a report this week. Also around the corner is the kick-off of second-quarter U.S. corporate earnings season in the coming weeks, with concerns over how much tariffs may be biting into company profits or affecting consumer spending. S&P 500 earnings are expected to have climbed 5.7% in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to LSEG IBES data. "We've been in a geopolitically focused market over the past several weeks," said Josh Jamner, senior investment strategy analyst at ClearBridge Investments. "I think the dawn of earnings season ... will refocus the market back towards fundamentals."
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Usha Vance Addresses Her First Lady Chances
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Second Lady Usha Vance has opened up about the prospect of husband Vice President JD Vance ascending to the presidency in 2028, and the chances of becoming the next First Lady. In a candid interview with Meghan McCain, recorded at the Vice-Presidential residence at One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C, she said: "I'm not plotting out next steps," adding that she would be happy to be "along for the ride" if her husband became president. Newsweek contacted the White House via online form on Friday for comment. Why It Matters Usha Vance has passed the historic milestone of being the first South Asian and Hindu Second Lady, but she is steering clear of stating any political ambition, whether in the short term or as potential First Lady. As Vice President, husband JD is widely regarded as the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, though he has yet to formally declare his candidacy. What To Know Usha Vance addressed the subject on Wednesday's episode of the podcast Citizen McCain with Meghan McCain, with her host describing it as a "very exciting possibility." "There is not a small chance you could be our first lady in a few years," said former View co-host McCain. "I wanted to know is that stressful for you, is it exciting, is that something you think about, is this something everyone is asking you everywhere you go?" Usha offered a measured response, emphasizing that her current priority lies squarely in the present moment: "Well, people do ask about it," the attorney said, adding, "three years ago, or maybe it was four years ago at this point, I had absolutely no intention of leading any sort of life in politics, it really is that rapid. "And then when we moved our kids to school in this area it was with no intention whatsoever of JD running for a new office and so my attitude is that this is a four-year period where I have a set of responsibilities to my family, to myself, to obviously the country, and that's really what I'm focused on." U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance listen during the 44th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance listen during the 44th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2025 in Washington, DC."I'm not plotting out next steps or really trying for anything after this," she noted. "And in a dream world, eventually I'll be able to live in my home and kind of continue my career and all those sorts of things. "And if that happens in four years, I understand, if that happens at some other point in the future, I understand, I'm just sort of along for the ride and enjoying it while I can." Usha also announced during the interview that the couple are expecting their third child. She also revealed that it's been "really hard" for JD to quit driving since assuming office. The Second Lady discussed living at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C, and how much she appreciates the staff there. However, the couple maintains close ties to Ohio and considers it their true home. What People Are Saying Meghan McCain on her podcast to Vance: "I really just am such a fan of yours, I think you're so cool, I really hope you are a first lady someday, and I don't mind saying that, you don't have to say, it I will." McCain also praised Usha's humility and perspective on motherhood and public life. What Happens Next Usha talked about looking forward to bringing projects to light that she is interested in and working on things she is excited about. She recently launched a children's reading initiative, her first public-facing project since her husband became Vice President.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Canadian dies while in ICE custody in Florida, U.S. agency says
A Canadian citizen died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this week, the agency says. Johnny Noviello, 49, died in a detention centre in Florida on Monday, an ICE news release says. The cause of death is unknown and is under investigation, according to the release. Despite having Canadian citizenship, Noviello had been in the U.S. since 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991, the release says. In 2023, he was convicted of a number of offences — including racketeering and drug trafficking — and had been sentenced to 12 months in prison. Public court documents from that case state that Noviello had epilepsy which required medication to control his seizures. ICE agents arrested Noviello in May and he was being detained "pending removal proceedings," the agency's news release said. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand posted a statement on social media Thursday saying that the government had been notified of Noivello's death. "Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from U.S. officials. I offer my sincere condolences to the family," she wrote in a post on X. Noviello's death comes as ICE agents have been making sweeping arrests across the United States. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a raft of executive orders that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration and advance his goal of deporting millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and the main architect of Trump's immigration policies, has pushed ICE to aim for at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Trump's second term. WATCH | Canadian woman describes her ICE detainment: Trump himself has called on ICE officials "to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest mass deportation program in history." The immigration crackdown sparked massive protests in Los Angeles earlier this month. Trump responded to the demonstrations by ordering troops into the city, drawing the ire of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Noviello isn't the only Canadian to have been arrested in the U.S. since the ICE sweeps began. Jasmine Mooney from B.C. was arrested and held for nearly two weeks after trying to get a work visa renewed. She was released and returned to Canada in mid-March.
