Democrats Condemn Trump's 'War of Choice' in Iran

Potential 2028 candidates rally against the president's decision to attack Iran at a New York convention.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:28pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting of overlapping, geometric shapes in shades of blue, red, and gray, conveying a sense of motion and political turmoil.The war in Iran has become a divisive political issue, with Democrats condemning the president's actions and the White House defending its 'courageous' decision.NYC Today

Several prominent Democrats weighing presidential runs in 2028 forcefully condemned President Trump's decision to go to war with Iran during a convention in New York. The Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, described the conflict as a 'war of choice' and argued that Trump had failed to get buy-in from the American public for the military campaign, which has driven up costs and inflation.

Why it matters

Opposition to the war in Iran is emerging as a key rallying point for Democrats as they position themselves for the 2028 election. The conflict has become a point of contention, with Democrats criticizing Trump's approach and the White House defending the president's 'courageous action.'

The details

At the convention hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates spoke out against Trump's decision to go to war with Iran. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee, said she was 'unequivocally opposed to this war of choice' and argued that Trump was making the U.S. 'weaker, unreliable and less influential' through his actions.

  • The convention took place in New York this week.

The players

Kamala Harris

The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President.

Anna Kelly

A White House spokeswoman who defended President Trump's actions.

Al Sharpton

The founder of the National Action Network, which hosted the convention in New York.

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What they’re saying

“While he struts around boasting about how he will annihilate a whole people, what he is in fact doing — and this is why it's important to watch he does and not just listen to what he says — what is he doing is making us weaker, unreliable and less influential.”

— Kamala Harris, 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee

“Mr. Trump had taken 'courageous action,' and that Democrats had 'spent decades talking about the threat posed by Iran, but doing nothing about it'.”

— Anna Kelly, White House Spokeswoman

What’s next

The 2028 Democratic primary race is still in its early stages, but opposition to Trump's war in Iran is likely to be a key issue for candidates as they seek to differentiate themselves and appeal to voters.

The takeaway

The war in Iran has become a divisive political issue, with Democrats criticizing Trump's approach and the White House defending his actions. This conflict is emerging as a central point of contention that could shape the 2028 presidential race as potential candidates position themselves on the issue.