{"id":126595,"date":"2026-03-01T06:25:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:25:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/126595\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T06:25:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:25:18","slug":"local-leaders-community-react-to-u-s-israel-attacks-on-iran-nbc10-philadelphia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/126595\/","title":{"rendered":"Local leaders, community react to U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran \u2013 NBC10 Philadelphia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hours after the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, <\/a>\u00a0in what President\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0said was a massive operation to destroy the country\u2019s military capabilities, political leaders and community members shared their thoughts.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement saying he agreed Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon, but condemnded the military actions taken by Trump”<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our democracy, the American people \u2013 through our elected representatives \u2013 decide when our nation goes to war. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution, having just fought a war to win our nation\u2019s independence, recognized the grave consequences of going to war and vested that power in our representatives in Congress. Yet, today President Trump acted unilaterally \u2013 without Congressional approval and outside of the guardrails set up by our founders in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn going to war with Iran, the President has not adequately explained why this war is urgent now, what this military campaign may look like, or what the strategic objective is. Until a few days ago, he was seeking a deal to dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear program that the President himself claimed just a few months ago was completely destroyed. But today he declared that this is a war for regime change, something he said he would not pursue.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake no mistake, the Iranian regime represses its own people and is the leading state sponsor of terrorism around the world \u2013 they must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The regime and its proxies have killed American servicemembers and innocent civilians, wreaked havoc across the globe, and pose a direct threat to global peace and stability.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent weeks, tens of thousands of brave Iranians have died standing up for their freedoms against this cruel regime. The people of Iran deserve a government that gives voice to these hopes, respects their rights, and pursues their interests peacefully \u2013 not through violence or intimidation.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Trump and his Administration have not demonstrated to the American people that we have a clear plan with this mission \u2013 and by taking unilateral action, without a broad coalition of international partners, he is putting our brave servicemembers at greater risk and undermining our national security interests.<\/p>\n

\u201cLori and I are praying for the women and men of the United States armed forces who are deployed in the region and around the world. They are the best of us. We have complete faith in their skills and professionalism and they make up the most powerful military on Earth. May God protect our troops.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill shared her thoughts in an official statement: <\/p>\n

The safety and security of New Jerseyans is my number one responsibility. As a former Naval officer and member of the House Armed Services Committee in Congress, I know how seriously we must take any decision to use military force.<\/p>\n

My office is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel, and elsewhere in the Middle East. At this time, there is no known threat to New Jersey.<\/p>\n

I am working closely with Attorney General Davenport, Acting Superintendent Hengemuhle, Director Hauck of our State’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and law enforcement leaders throughout our state. As a precautionary measure, law enforcement will increase patrols at houses of worship and other sensitive sites.<\/p>\n

If you have any safety concerns, please contact local law enforcement.”<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Police Department also put out a statement: <\/p>\n

“PPD is monitoring developments overseas along with federal, state, and regional partners. While there are no credible threats to Philadelphia, we\u2019ve increased patrols at religious & cultural sites out of caution. Report suspicious activity to 911 or 215-686-TIPS.”<\/p>\n

PPD is monitoring developments overseas along with federal, state, and regional partners. While there are no credible threats to Philadelphia, we\u2019ve increased patrols at religious & cultural sites out of caution. Report suspicious activity to 911 or 215-686-TIPS.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Philadelphia Police Department (@PhillyPolice) February 28, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

An anti-war protest did gather in front of Philly’s City Hall on Saturday afternoon, but police were present at the time and it has since dispersed.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

NBC10’s Neil Fischer spoke with Marjam Vafa of the Philly Iranians about the attack and discussed what it means for Iran\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“President Trump said the right words. He said this is not just for now, this is for the future,” said Vafa.<\/p>\n

Vafa added. “It is a very hard time for the Iranian community right now.”<\/p>\n

New Jersey State Police put out a statement on social media regarding the attacks that read: <\/p>\n

“There are no known credible threats to New Jersey at this time. The New Jersey State Police is actively monitoring the situation and will continue working with our federal, state, county, and local partners to ensure the safety of New Jersey’s places of worship.”<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NewJerseyStatePolice\/posts\/pfbid0n4aRyHME3ZZWPjjfPCpcqdHG8cUEdaK6rf3AeKocJtxvsaXDDZfJiF9zYQBjd9Kkl<\/p>\n

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) voiced support for the operation\u00a0on social media, saying in part:<\/p>\n

“President Trump has been willing to do what\u2019s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.”<\/p>\n

Operation Epic Fury.<\/p>\n

President Trump has been willing to do what\u2019s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.<\/p>\n

God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.<\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement: <\/p>\n

“Americans don\u2019t want to go to war with Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By launching strikes, President Trump has made the same dangerous and foolish decision President Bush did a generation ago. He put Americans in harm\u2019s way without clearly showing there\u2019s an imminent threat to our national security. He put the Iranian people in harm\u2019s way by calling on them to rise up without a broad coalition of partners to assist in their protection. And Trump once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and could spiral out of control. This is unacceptable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Senate should vote on Senator Kaine\u2019s War Powers Resolution immediately.<\/p>\n

I stand ready to do so today.\u201d<\/p>\n

During an interview on CNN, Kim added, \u201cHow many times do the American people need to wake up in the morning and see this president dragging us into another conflict…I have zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our Constitution. That is why we should have Congress\u00a0immediately\u00a0go back into session for the War Powers vote, to reassert the American people\u2019s will.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) offered the following remarks: <\/p>\n

“The American people don\u2019t want war with Iran. The President never made a case for war, not to the American people, not to Congress, not to our allies overseas.\u00a0 Instead, this President has conducted an illegal operation and put American troops in harms way and\u00a0killed untold numbers of civilians\u00a0on the ground in Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaker Johnson must immediately hold a vote on the Massie-Khanna Iran War Powers Resolution.
Donald Trumps actions are reckless and make the world less safe. If the American people are to be safe, Donald Trump must be impeached.<\/p>\n

I will monitor the situation as it develops and continue to pray for the safety of our servicemen and women as well as the innocent civilians who will be impacted throughout the region. I encourage everyone to make their voices heard loud and clear, ‘No War with Iran.'”<\/p>\n

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) released the following statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cTrump is the warmonger. He is causing the violence. He\u2019s not the president of peace. He\u2019s the president of war. If America is attacked or our soldiers are put at risk, it\u2019s because of Trump\u2019s desire to go to war. And his refusal to ask Congress or even listen to his own advisors, is because he\u2019s unhinged and doesn\u2019t want cooler heads to prevail. What country will he attack next in an effort to drag America into further wars? There is a reason the Constitution gives Congress\u2014not the President alone\u2014the power to declare war. It’s to avoid a reckless president bombing whatever he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) released an official statement reading as follows: <\/p>\n

\u201cI am praying for the safety of our service members and the many civilians in the Middle East in harm\u2019s way today. President Trump\u2019s\u00a0military campaign against Iran\u00a0and call for regime change are the beginning of a reckless new war of choice with no clear strategy and no clear endpoint. This is not how a democracy goes to war. Less than five years after the end of the longest war in American history, the United States is once again staring down another open-ended\u00a0conflict with a\u00a0hostile country in the Middle East that\u00a0could\u00a0cost the lives of many American service members.\u00a0This is not a limited, defensive strike, but rather a full-throated declaration of war\u00a0that does not clearly serve the interests\u00a0of\u00a0or reflect the wishes of the American people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Iranian regime is evil. It\u00a0has supported and exported terrorism. It\u00a0has the blood of many Americans on its hands from its attacks across the decades against American troops and interests, as well as the thousands of Iranians massacred while protesting the regime. However, President Trump and his administration have failed to make the case that it poses an imminent threat to the American people.\u00a0The administration also failed to extract all they could through diplomacy with a regime that is as weak as it has ever been. This is an illegal war launched without meaningful consultation or the consent of Congress. At a time when we face significant threats from\u00a0an\u00a0aggressive China and Russia, choosing to launch a war with Iran brings significant risks, and\u00a0Congress should rein in this dangerous president before he can do more harm to American service members and national interests.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAyatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his office, according to Iranian state media. President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed Khamenei\u2019s death on Truth Social.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del. at-large) released the following statement in response as well: <\/p>\n

\u201cThis president appears determined to drag our country into yet another regime change war overseas rather than addressing problems here at home. Whether a full-scale regional war in the Middle East unfolds today or sometime in the future, this president\u2019s shoot-first-ask-questions-later foreign policy inevitably leads to one place in the end: death, destruction, and destabilization.<\/p>\n

This president routinely shreds both the progress and potential of diplomacy, just as he did when he destroyed the previous Iran nuclear deal. And just as he has done again this weekend, being far too willing to put the lives of American servicemembers at risk when achievable diplomatic and multilateral solutions exist to prevent a nuclear Iran or to secure the human rights of the Iranian people.<\/p>\n

Military action should be an option of last resort, not your dessert round as you lounge at your personal resort.<\/p>\n

Through all of this, he has kept the American people \u2014 and Congress \u2014 in the dark about the realistic plans, potential risks, and true goals of this operation until it is too late. I\u2019ve opposed reckless military action before and do so again, which is why I believe Congress must immediately reconvene to vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent this administration from pulling us into yet another forever war.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) released the following statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cLast night, President Trump unilaterally ordered a military strike against Iran.\u00a0For decades, the Iranian regime has posed a persistent threat to U.S. national security, beginning with the 1979 hostage crisis and continuing through its pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, its role as a leading global sponsor of terrorism, and its oppression of the Iranian people.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn response to the recent U.S. strike, Iran has reportedly launched attacks on four of the thirteen U.S military bases in the region, where more than 40,000 U.S. service members are currently stationed. In June of last year, the President asserted that Operation Midnight Hammer had \u201cobliterated\u201d Iran\u2019s nuclear program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American people deserve to understand why this latest strike was undertaken, why it was initiated at this time, and what clear strategy exists to bring this situation to a responsible conclusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbove all, we must ensure the protection of our troops abroad and safeguard religious institutions and vulnerable communities here at home from potential retaliation. I am therefore calling for an immediate classified briefing to Congress to fully explain the rationale for this action and the path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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