A victory, far from being decisive yet, but unexpected. And encouraging for Democrats. This Tuesday, May 19, the latter succeeded in advancing their draft resolution in the Senate, with 50 votes to 47, to prevent President Trump from ordering new strikes against Iran. While their previous attempts had received the support of only one Republican senator (Rand Paul, elected from Kentucky), and had therefore failed, this time they benefited from the support of four of them (a Democrat voted against the resolution). Among the latter, we note the name of Bill Cassidy, elected official from Louisiana whose defeat Donald Trump loudly rejoiced in the primaries for his re-election last weekend; Cassidy had voted five years ago in favor of the conviction of Donald Trump during the impeachment proceedings linked to the insurrection of January 6, 2021, and the latter, not just a little resentful, put obstacles in his way in the form of support for a competitor.
The resolution carried by Democrats is based on the War Powers Act of 1973, which stipulates that the president cannot engage in a war lasting more than sixty days without the agreement of Congress. The milestone was reached on May 1, but Donald Trump circumvented this legislation by declaring that the conflict in Iran was over… even though a blockade of Iranian ports continues and he threatens to resume bombings. “This president is like a toddler playing with a loaded gun,” Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the Senate. “If there was ever a time to support our war powers resolution to withdraw our troops from confrontations with Iran, it is now.”
64% of Americans opposed to the war
However, the battle is far from won for the Democrats. The resolution must still undergo two votes in the Senate, and the presence of three Republicans absent on Monday could be enough to stop it – they will certainly be reminded of their duty by the president, who is accustomed to pressure tactics. It would then have to be adopted in the House of Representatives, where the Republicans have a narrow majority Even if this step is taken, Donald Trump could veto it.
But Monday’s mini-victory nonetheless remains an eloquent indicator of the unpopularity of the war launched at the end of February. “In Louisiana, I have heard from people, including supporters of President Trump, who are concerned about this war,” Bill Cassidy wrote on X. “Until the administration provides clarity, no authorization or extension from Congress can be justified.” The polls, in fact, are unequivocal: that of New York Times last week indicated that 64% of Americans believed their president made the wrong decision in attacking Iran. A reaction which is partly explained by the numerous repercussions suffered by the population across the Atlantic, with inflation starting to rise again, particularly on gasoline.
/2026/05/20/6a0d840a6e709126637817.jpg "“We must all go to the army”: the ultra-Orthodox exemption bill divides Israelis and threatens Benjamin Netanyahu")
