Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan from New York's 18th District has openly criticized President Donald Trump, labeling him a "lying, chicken-hawk president" for initiating military action in Iran. Ryan, a veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq, expressed his frustration over what he perceives as reckless warmongering by those who have never served in the military.

During a press conference on Wednesday (March 4), Ryan led a group of 10 Democratic veterans in condemning Trump's actions in Iran, describing the conflict as "illegal" and "dangerous." He emphasized the disconnect between policymakers and the realities of war, stating, "If I hear one more chicken-hawk who has never served a single day in uniform, sitting in a gold-plated office in D.C. or in Mar-a-Lago, or anywhere else, try to talk tough having never seen what war is about, I’m going to lose my mind."

Ryan's comments come amidst growing concerns over the loss of American lives and resources in the conflict. According to MidHudson News, Congressman Chris Deluzio highlighted that six American servicemembers have already been killed, with many more wounded, and billions of dollars likely spent. Deluzio and other lawmakers are pushing for Congress to pass the War Powers resolution to halt the ongoing military operations in Iran.

The criticism extends beyond Ryan, with Congressman Eugene Vindman, who served 25 years in the army, sharing his personal connection to the conflict. Vindman's twin brother was wounded by an Iranian IED, and he warned that "wars are easy to start and hard to finish – and Americans are the ones who pay the price."

The debate over the Iran conflict has also sparked exchanges between Ryan and Republican figures. As reported by The Hill, Ryan clashed with Senator Markwayne Mullin, who defended Trump's military actions on cable news. Ryan challenged Mullin's credibility, questioning his experience with war and stating, "Call of Duty doesn’t count."

As the situation unfolds, the call for accountability and a reevaluation of military engagement strategies continues to grow among lawmakers and the public.