(Top L-R) Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera/ (Bottom L-R) Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar / File Photo

Indian American Democratic lawmakers called for Congress to rein in President Donald Trump after he warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran did not comply with a U.S. ultimatum, as tensions escalated sharply in the region.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) called Trump’s remarks “outrageous, dangerous, and unhinged.”

Also Read: Rep. Jayapal demands end to “illegal” Iran war

“This is not normal. This is a sick, inhumane man with the most powerful military on Earth at his command – and no one reining him in,” Jayapal wrote on X. “I will not stand down until Congress acts to end this illegal war NOW.”

 

This is not normal. This is a sick, inhumane man with the most powerful military on Earth at his command – and no one reining him in.

I will not stand down until Congress acts to end this illegal war NOW. pic.twitter.com/KLx1krmZYI

— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) April 7, 2026

In a separate post, she said, “Congress must immediately act to rein him in before more people die.” Jayapal also linked her criticism to civilian casualties in Iran, citing a school bombing that she said killed more than 100 children. 

Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13) also criticized Trump’s language and the Republican response to it.

“Donald Trump just threatened to annihilate 100 million people and Congressional Republicans think that this is an action movie, throwing out snappy one-liners,” Thanedar wrote.

“These are not serious people currently tasked with handling a gravely serious situation.”

Donald Trump just threatened to annihilate 100 million people and Congressional Republicans think that this is an action movie, throwing out snappy one-liners.

These are not serious people currently tasked with handling a gravely serious situation. https://t.co/HAkGjlJ4GI

— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) April 7, 2026

Rep. Ami Bera (CA-07), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, framed the issue as a constitutional crisis over war powers.

“I remain disappointed in my Republican colleagues who sit idly by while this erratic and unstable president threatens that ‘a whole civilization will die tonight,’” Bera wrote.

“We must immediately vote to reassert our constitutional authority over war powers before this president inflicts irreversible damage,” he added.

I remain disappointed in my Republican colleagues who sit idly by while this erratic and unstable president threatens that “a whole civilization will die tonight.”

We must immediately vote to reassert our constitutional authority over war powers before this president inflicts… pic.twitter.com/oBASt4DGKd

— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) April 7, 2026

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) also condemned Trump’s remarks, warning that they could deepen the crisis and put civilians at greater risk.

“Donald Trump is threatening the destruction of an entire civilization,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “This dangerously escalates conflict, endangers innocent civilians, and makes the world less safe. America needs serious leadership focused on preventing catastrophe, not threatening to lead us into one.”

Donald Trump is threatening the destruction of an entire civilization. This dangerously escalates conflict, endangers innocent civilians, and makes the world less safe. America needs serious leadership focused on preventing catastrophe, not threatening to lead us into one. pic.twitter.com/LRGNrTZDYc

— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) April 7, 2026

Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) issued the strongest response, calling for Trump’s removal under the 25th Amendment.

“We need to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump,” Khanna wrote on X. “Threatening war crimes is a blatant violation of our constitution and the Geneva Conventions.”

In a video statement, Khanna said, “If the United States Congress has any life left in it, every member of Congress and senator must be calling for Trump’s removal today based on the 25th Amendment.”

We need to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump.

Threatening war crimes is a blatant violation of our constitution and the Geneva Conventions. pic.twitter.com/31F3BkA9kR

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) April 7, 2026

“He’s threatening the entire destruction of a civilization. He is calling Iranians animals. He is showing a total disregard for the humanity of people in Iran, in Gaza, in Cuba. This is a moral crime. It is a war crime,” he added.

The criticism followed Trump’s latest warning as tensions sharply escalated around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route, and fears grew over a broader U.S. military offensive against Iran.

Trump has given Iran until  8 PM EST on April 7  to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to do so would lead to devastating U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure. 

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