A day after U.S. and U.K. forces launched missile strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, President Biden denied the U.S. was entering a proxy war with Iran.
More than a dozen sites in Yemen were bombed by the coalition in direct response to the multiple attacks Houthi rebels have waged against U.S. military ships and civilian shipping vessels in the region.
When confronted by reporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as to whether the U.S. was entering a proxy war with Iran, he responded directly, "No."
Immediately following the attacks by the Houthis, Biden had said, "These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners; jeopardized trade; and threatened freedom of navigation," he said, stressing that Washington and its allies "will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation."
He added, "I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary."
White House spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that Biden approved the strikes on Tuesday after reviewing the options from his national security team. Kirby made a point to note that the president was "very comfortable and confident in the legal authorities that the president exercised to conduct these strikes."
Not all Democrats share the president's outlook. Several Democrat congressional members took to X to voice their concern. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.; Rep Val Hoyle, D-Ore.; and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., all cited the Constitution in reminding Biden that only Congress can authorize military involvement.
On the other side of the aisle, GOP members of congress were less unified. Sen Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., supported the actions of Biden, while former President Donald Trump and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., were opposed.
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