Sen. Chris Murphy says it's 'clear' Trump's strikes on Iran are 'illegal'

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said that Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were ‘illegal’ but dodged when asked if he should be impeached

WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said that President Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were ‘illegal’ but dodged when asked if he should be impeached for ordering the attacks without congressional approval.

"That's a decision the House makes. That's not a decision that Senate makes. But it is clear that this is illegal," Murphy said when asked whether he agreed with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments that Trump's strikes were grounds for impeachment.

The House votes on whether to impeach a president, while the Senate votes on conviction.

A president can launch military attacks if there is a "declaration of war," Congressional authorization or "a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, its armed forces," according to the War Powers Resolution. Trump's strikes, some Democrats argue, breach the resolution.

The Senate last week voted against a resolution that would have required Trump to seek congressional approval before authorizing any additional military action against Iran. The vote was almost entirely along party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., siding with Democrats.