Democrats Oppose Operation Epic Fury Against Iran Despite Its Successes

The party's opposition to Trump's war with Iran seems rooted in political calculations rather than national security concerns.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring fractured, overlapping shapes and lines in shades of blue, gray, and red, conveying a sense of motion and conflict related to the U.S. military operation against Iran.As the U.S. escalates military action against Iran, the Democratic Party's staunch opposition raises questions about its commitment to national security.NYC Today

Democrats have taken a uniform, rageful opposition to Donald Trump's military operation against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, despite the operation's apparent successes in weakening the Iranian regime's leadership and capabilities. This contrasts with past bipartisan support for military actions under Democratic and Republican presidents. Experts argue the Democratic opposition is driven more by a desire to deny Trump and the GOP a foreign policy victory than by genuine national security concerns.

Why it matters

The Democratic Party's stance on Iran represents a broader shift in the party's approach to national security, moving away from a more hawkish, interventionist posture to one focused on diplomacy and appeasement. This change has exposed the party to criticism that it is unserious about dealing with major global threats like Iran's nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism.

The details

Republicans have generally supported Democratic presidents in wartime, but with Donald Trump and Iran, things are different: Democrats are in uniform, rageful opposition. They hector the president daily even amid combat operations, much to the delight of the Iranian mullahs. Democrats' arguments against the war seem largely second-order: the war lacks legal authorization and clear purpose; the strikes are spiking oil prices and inflation. However, experts argue the real reason is that Democrats need Trump to fail in Iran because if he succeeds, Democrats are exposed as unserious people with an unserious worldview and no coherent plan on national security.

  • Operation Epic Fury against Iran commenced in early 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who initiated Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Joe Biden

The current U.S. president who has continued a more diplomatic approach to Iran compared to Trump.

Barack Obama

The former U.S. president whose administration negotiated the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The former prime minister of Israel who has taken a hardline stance against Iran.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has expressed sympathy for anti-Western ideologies.

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What they’re saying

“Though he doesn't like the Iranian regime, he admitted, he doesn't want to see Trump or Bibi Netanyahu getting credit for what would be a historic win for global peace.”

— Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist

The takeaway

The Democratic Party's opposition to Operation Epic Fury against Iran highlights a broader shift in the party's approach to national security, moving away from a more hawkish, interventionist posture to one focused on diplomacy and appeasement. This change has exposed the party to criticism that it is unserious about dealing with major global threats like Iran's nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism.