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Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi The California Democrat went on to argue that President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran and former President Barack Obama’s attacks on Libya were “two completely different things” despite many similarities shared between the two incidents.
Pelosi condemned Trump’s attacks while defending President Barack Obama in 2011.
“They look nothing alike,” Pelosi said.
“What Obama did was limited military force. This goes beyond that. “It was a limited military force,” he continued.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks to reporters after a briefing by Trump administration officials to members of the House on US attacks on Iran, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2026. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Since Trump started Operation Epic Fury last Saturday, Pelosi and other Democrats, who target Iran’s military leadership along with Israel, have fiercely condemned the attack, arguing that the president should have sought congressional approval before carrying it out, citing the War Powers Act of 1983.
Under that law, a president must inform Congress within 48 hours if U.S. forces are introduced into hostilities and requires congressional authorization for engagements lasting more than 60 days.
Pelosi believes Trump’s attack on Iran will likely push the United States past that mark, leading her to believe Trump has skirted requirements imposed by Congress.
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“Do your homework. Read the law. We’ve already lost people in war,” Pelosi said. “We don’t even know if these people admit that there is a war now.”
“I just think if you read the law, you’ll see the difference.”
The War Powers Act does not use the loss of U.S. service members as a trigger for congressional approval.
President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States launched attacks against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Trump is reportedly considering backing militias in Iran to overthrow the regime. (The White House via X Account/Anadolu via Getty Images/Contributor/Getty Images)
His stance on Iran runs counter to his previous support for President Obama when he carried out his own attacks in Libya in 2011.
Then, in partnership with other allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United States bombed the forces of Al Gaddafi, the “mad dog of the Middle East” and dictator of Libya.
In parallel with the recent uprisings in Iran, protesters in Libya By that time, Gaddafi had responded with brutal force, who used the army to suppress opposition in cities such as Benghazi. Obama framed his attack as a way to protect Libya’s civilian population against his own government.
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“We attacked regime forces approaching Benghazi to save that city and the people inside it,” Obama said in remarks after the attacks,” according to a press release at the time.
President Obama photographed on October 26, 2011 on the downtown Denver campus of the University of Colorado Denver. (AP/Denver Post)
Although Obama did not seek authorization from Congress, Pelosi said she believed Obama was within his authority to carry out the attacks.
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“I’m pleased that the president has the authority to move forward,” Pelosi said of the Libya attacks. “I say this as a person who is very protective of congressional prerogatives and consultations along the way.”
“Yes,” Pelosi responded clearly when asked if she thought Obama could continue without congressional approval.
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