Senator Chris Murphy addresses reporters at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2026.Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock
Several Democratic members of Congress are labeling President Donald Trump as "out of control" and "unhinged" following his issuance of a profanity-filled menace directed at Iran on Easter Sunday. He indicated that on Tuesday, he would aim at bridges and energy facilities within Iran if they do not make the crucial Strait of Hormuz accessible.
His warnings regarding strikes on Iran’s bridges and power generation sites have prompted certain Democrats to propose that Trump might be perpetrating war crimes, considering the potential for civilian casualties resulting from targeting these locations. This follows the president’s statement to ABC News’ Rachel Scott that if Iran doesn’t consent to a peace agreement, encompassing the opening of the strait, "we're blowing up the whole country."
President Donald Trump gives a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on April 6, 2026.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
"GOP leaders must halt him. Irrespective of the fact that demolishing bridges and power stations and causing the death of innocent Iranians will not unlock the Strait, it also constitutes a manifest war crime," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy declared in a message on X.
"The present administration will not make the Strait accessible, therefore he intends to assassinate harmless citizens to incite nationwide fear? What the freak?," Murphy expressed on X. "Trump has lost control."
Senator Chris Murphy is seen speaking to reporters at the US Capitol, Washington, DC, March 25, 2026.Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock
On Sunday morning, Trump communicated on his social media platform that "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, everything compiled into one, in Iran. There will be absolutely nothing comparable to it!!!"
"Open the F—– Strait, you idiotic b——-, or you’ll experience Hell – JUST YOU WAIT!" the president went on.
When questioned on Monday regarding potential violations of international law by attacking civil infrastructure, Trump answered "No, no I'm not."
Earlier in the year, amidst a probe into a U.S. military operation in a region where an elementary institution was impacted resulting in many child deaths, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that "we, certainly, never aim at civilian installations."
He also conveyed to ABC News’ Scott on Sunday that military action will take place without a pact within a 48-hour timeframe.
"If it transpires, it will transpire. And if it doesn't, we're obliterating the entire nation. We're demolishing, like I mentioned, it's going to be bridge day and power station day in Iran," Trump remarked.
Additionally, on Saturday, Trump made a menace towards Iran, indicating their obligation to open the Strait of Hormuz within a 48-hour limit, translating to "Hell will descend upon them" – a deadline that expired at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Ahead of voting, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gives remarks to a forum about climate change and its implications for home insurance, food costs, and health care expenses, at the Capitol in Washington, March 26, 2026.J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Sen. Chuck Schumer, the leading Democrat in the Senate, expressed discontent with Trump's declarations.
"Happy Easter, America. As you proceed to church and commemorate with loved ones, the President of the United States is ranting with the ferocity of a deranged individual on social media," Schumer communicated through a post. "He’s threatening potential war atrocities and alienating collaborators. That’s his essence, but it does not depict our identity. Our country merits considerably greater."
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders conveyed Trump’s "rants" were "risky."
"Congress must act IMMEDIATELY. Terminate this armed conflict," Sanders voiced via a social media message on Sunday.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, when featuring on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, requested an end to the hostilities as he rebuked Trump’s communication.
"This morning’s tweet includes cursing and threatening actions of war, with the declaration that we’ve dismantled Iran’s ballistic missile capacities, while simultaneous troop flights are met with gunfire. This armed conflict needs resolution now. An immediate ceasefire is crucial. Iran, Israel, and the United States must suspend the bombings and engage in a negotiated settlement," Khanna insisted.
Rep. Ro Khanna participates in a town hall discussion on February 20, 2026, in Stanford, California.Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images
Khanna then added, "let me clarify that indiscriminate bombing of energy facilities, uttering curses at Iran, or insinuating war crimes won’t unlock the Strait of Hormuz."
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar advocated on Monday for Trump’s "removal from leadership" as a result of his social media post.
Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari, in a social media post on Sunday, labeled the president "unstable," and recalled the 25th Amendment — a pathway for potentially removing the president from office — "exists for valid reasons."
ABC News has contacted Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson to gain comments.
President Donald Trump is addressing individuals from the media at the annual Easter Egg Roll held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 6, 2026.Daniel Heuer/EPA/Shutterstock
When inquired by a journalist on Monday afternoon about his reaction to those who disapproved of his social media post, Trump retorted: "I am indifferent to the critics."
The reporter followed this up by requesting Trump’s views in response to those asserting his mental condition ought to undergo assessment amid the Iran conflict, to which Trump claimed he "had not caught wind of that."
"But should that be accurate, you will need an increase in people similar to myself," Trump responded.
Trump previously communicated on Monday that his use of harsh language in his social media transmission pertaining to Iran served "simply to emphasize my intention."
In answer to ABC News’ Scott about the topic of focusing on civilian infrastructure, Trump noted civilians "wish for me to take the action."
“When civilians find themselves in a state of extreme unhappiness is when they don’t register explosions because they are existing in hell," the president shared.
The Iranian regime responded to Trump’s threat of "obliterating the entire nation" if the administration does not open up the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening.
"Iran’s feedback would include replicating similar offensives," according to a message released by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei on Sunday afternoon. "Our armed forces have stated clearly that Iran will retaliate should its infrastructure be targeted."
Baghaei commented that should the United States execute Trump’s threatened offensive, Iranian forces would then "target comparable infrastructures that are either possessed by or somehow connected to the United States, or that aid in their act of aggression against Iran."
United Nations representative Stéphane Dujarric notified that the UN was "apprehensive" about Trump’s post.
"We were alarmed by the rhetoric conveyed in the social media correspondence suggesting American aggression directed at power stations, bridges, and diverse installations should Iran resist an agreement," Dujarric communicated on Monday. "The Secretary-General has been particularly transparent on subjects relating to international statute, and he again implores all groups to conform to the expectations relative to the undertaking of these hostilities. Additionally, he recalls that civilian installations, like energy setups, may not be subject to assaults."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com