Trump Tells Congress Hostilities with Iran Have 'Terminated'

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from within Congress, President Donald Trump has formally notified lawmakers that the hostilities with Iran have been terminated. This declaration follows a ceasefire that has held since early April, marking a significant, albeit contentious, shift in US foreign policy regarding the long-standing tensions with Tehran.

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On April 7, 2026, I ordered a 2-week ceasefire. The ceasefire has since been extended. There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated.

The President's letter to Congress, citing the War Powers Act, asserts that the conflict initiated on February 28, 2026, has concluded. This assertion, however, has been met with skepticism by key figures in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the claim as "bullshit," arguing that the war was illegal and that continued US involvement endangers lives and destabilizes the region.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the President's announcement does not alter the reality on the ground. She pointed out that tens of thousands of US service members remain in a precarious situation, the administration continues to issue threats of escalation, and critical global trade routes, like the Strait of Hormuz, remain closed, impacting global markets.

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This is an illegal war and every day Republicans remain complicit and allow it to continue is another day lives are endangered, chaos erupts, and prices increase, all while Americans foot the bill.

While Trump frames the termination of hostilities as a success, he simultaneously warns that Iran continues to pose a "significant" threat. This duality suggests that while direct military confrontation may have ceased, the underlying strategic challenges and the need for a robust US military presence in the region persist. The administration's adjustments to force posture, detailed in classified attachments, underscore the ongoing complexities of managing relations with Iran and its proxies.

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President Trump declaring the war with Iran ‘terminated’ doesn’t reflect the reality that tens of thousands of U.S. service members in the region are still in harm’s way, that the Administration continually threatens to escalate hostilities or that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and prices are skyrocketing at home.