News + Press

West Virginia Democratic Party Statement on President Trump's Escalation in the Middle East

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2025

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Democratic Party is deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, dramatically escalating an already volatile conflict in the Middle East. Our first concern is for the safety and security of American military personnel stationed in the region and across the globe, who now face increased risk as a result of this provocative action.

West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said, “No one wants to see Iran develop nuclear weapons – but the Trump administration itself has sent conflicting messages about Iran's activities in that regard. President Trump's hand-picked Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, recently testified under oath before Congress that Iran was not building a nuclear bomb. The President responded that he 'didn't care' what the assessment of his national intelligence chief was. Ignoring the assessment of your own administration's intelligence community sets a dangerous precedent that potentially puts our troops and our allies in jeopardy to serve a political objective rather than the legitimate security needs of our nation.”

This dangerous move reflects a profound failure of diplomacy. Rather than exhausting every channel for peaceful resolution, President Trump has chosen to abandon statesmanship, thereby placing American lives and global stability at risk in the process.

“Futile warring is exactly what Trump told West Virginians they were voting against,” said Sam Petsonk, Second Vice Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party. “It is imperative the President works with Congress to avoid ensnaring future generations of troops and citizens in fruitless, painful violence.”

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