January 26th, 2026
The leadership of the Democratic National Committee Veterans & Military Families Council issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s military attack on Iran:
We, the members of the Veterans & Military Families Council, speak with deep concern and clarity about what military escalation truly means.
Among us are those who have deployed to war and those who have waited at home as military spouses and family members. We know firsthand that decisions made in Washington ripple through barracks, living rooms, schools, and VA clinics for decades. This is not abstract to us.
Military action carries consequences that extend far beyond the battlefield. It affects readiness, VA capacity, mental health systems, military retention, and the long term stability of families who have already sacrificed more than most Americans will ever know.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to decide when our nation enters sustained hostilities. That safeguard exists to ensure deliberation, accountability, and public trust. If American troops are placed in harm’s way, the American people deserve transparency about the mission, the risks, and the strategy for bringing service members home and caring for them upon their return.
The Veterans & Military Families Council calls on the administration to immediately brief Congress and the American people with honesty and clarity, and we demand Congress assert its constitutional authority over matters of war.
Our service members are not pawns and should never be used for political leverage. They are not expendable. They deserve competent, responsible leadership worthy of the sacrifices they and their families are being asked to make on behalf of We The People.
Rachel Vindman, Co-Chair
Joe Stutler, Co-Chair