Local lawmakers across the Juniata River Valley largely applauded Trump’s decisive action.

“I think we have to trust those people in the position of making this decision,” commented State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin). “We have to trust they are making decisions that are best for Americans as well as safety across the globe.”

A main concern among some Democrats was Trump’s lack in seeking congressional approval, while Republicans have maintained praise for Trump’s “decisive action.”

The division in the U.S. Congress stems from an already prevalent debate over the president’s ability to conduct such an action without authorization from the House and Senate on the use of military force.

Sen. Judy Ward

Benninghoff commented on this “not being something new,” stating that previous administrations have also made calls without congressional approval.

There have been Democrats, and a few Republicans, that have said the strikes were unconstitutional, and demanded more information in a classified setting, Benninghoff explained.

“Trump (had) been proactive in warning the people, giving them a timeline, and making sure people were cleared out, not a lot of leaders would have given that kind of warning,” said Benninghoff. “I do not believe Iran would have given us the same courtesy.”

News sources reported that Trump gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to end the development of nuclear weapons before any decision for the airstrikes were made.

“President Trump has shown his willingness to prioritize a diplomatic solution to international conflict by the recent 60-day negotiations that were held prior to the decision to use military force,” shared Pennsylvania Sen. Judy Ward. “However, the recent action against Iran has shown those who would wish us harm that President Trump will take whatever action necessary to keep our country safe.”

Benninghoff shared concern for a country like Iran having access to nuclear weapons, even saying that Iran’s access to those weapons should “concern everyone.”

Ward agreed, “A nuclear Iran is a danger to America, our allies, and the world, and that cannot be allowed.”

Since the attack, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered an announcement warning of “everlasting,” “dangerous,” and “far-reaching” consequences for what the Iranian Foreign Ministry called an “egregious act of aggression and heinous crime.”

“They made a call for what they believed to be paramount to the ending of the development of those nuclear weapons,” said Benninghoff.

Other local lawmakers were contacted for comment Monday, but as of press time, did not deliver a response.