Sen. Murphy Condemns Trump's 'War Crime' Threats Against Iran

Democratic lawmakers slam former president's unhinged rhetoric as he threatens to target Iranian infrastructure.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:18am

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Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) harshly criticized former President Trump's latest threats to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges, calling them 'war crimes' that would kill thousands of civilians. Other Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also condemned Trump's 'unhinged' and 'disgusting' rhetoric, with Sen. Bernie Sanders saying Congress must act to 'end this war' that Trump started with Iran.

Why it matters

Trump's bellicose threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure mark a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has already resulted in over 1,600 civilian casualties since February. Democratic lawmakers warn that deliberately targeting power plants and bridges would constitute clear war crimes under international law, further damaging America's global standing and risking a wider regional conflagration.

The details

In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Trump declared that 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,' warning the 'crazy bastards' to 'open the F—in' Strait' or 'you'll be living in Hell.' The former president reiterated these threats in multiple interviews, as Iran's restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed global energy prices higher. Sen. Murphy condemned Trump's rhetoric, saying he 'isn't even pretending to choose military targets' and is willing to 'kill tens of thousands of civilians in order to cause a national panic.'

  • On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran.
  • As of Sunday, over 1,600 civilians in Iran, including at least 244 children, have been killed since the start of the conflict.

The players

Sen. Chris Murphy

A Democratic senator from Connecticut who has sharply criticized Trump's threats against Iran as 'war crimes.'.

Former President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who has issued bellicose threats to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges, which Democratic lawmakers have condemned as potential war crimes.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

The Democratic senator from New York who criticized Trump's 'unhinged' rhetoric on the holiday weekend.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic congressman from New York who called Trump's statements 'disgusting and unhinged.'

Sen. Bernie Sanders

The independent senator from Vermont who said Trump's 'ravings' show he is a 'dangerous and mentally unbalanced individual' and called on Congress to act to 'end this war.'

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What they’re saying

“Trump is calling reporters today to tell them he is going to commit mass war crimes next week. GOP leaders need to stop him. Never mind that blowing up bridges and power plants and killing innocent Iranians won't reopen the Strait. It's also a clear war crime.”

— Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator

“As millions of Americans head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, Trump is ranting like an unhinged madman online. He's threatening possible war crimes and alienating allies. This is who he is, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves so much better.”

— Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

“These are the ravings of a dangerous and mentally unbalanced individual. Congress has got to act NOW. End this war.”

— Sen. Bernie Sanders

The takeaway

Trump's reckless threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure represent a dangerous escalation that could constitute war crimes, according to Democratic lawmakers. With over 1,600 Iranian civilians already killed since the start of the conflict, Congress must act quickly to rein in the former president's unhinged rhetoric and prevent a wider regional war.