Congress Absent as Trump Issues Threats Against Iran

Congress is out of session while President Trump posted a public threat toward Iran; House Democratic leaders have urged the House to return to Washington to hold hearings and consider War Powers measures.

Congress is not in session while President Donald Trump posted a public threat directed at Iran. The comment came as tensions in the region have grown amid an ongoing conflict that officials report has caused large-scale casualties and affected regional stability. Republican congressional leaders had not publicly responded as of Tuesday afternoon. House Democratic leaders asked for the chamber to return from its Easter recess for hearings and votes. Key details: - The president posted a message threatening widespread destruction of an Iranian civilization and also made threats tied to strikes on civilian infrastructure over the Strait of Hormuz, as reported. - Both House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune had not issued a public response as of Tuesday, and Congress was scheduled to remain out of session until next week. - House Democratic leaders called for the House to return from its two-week recess so members could hold hearings and consider War Powers resolutions related to the conflict. - Some progressive lawmakers urged invoking the 25th Amendment; the article notes that removing a president under that amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate, making it a difficult procedural path. Summary: House Democratic leaders have requested the House reconvene to address the president's statements and to consider War Powers action, while some lawmakers have also called for exploring the 25th Amendment. Undetermined at this time.