It was one of the rare times President Trump’s ‘two-week’ tell came through and this time with a bang—a bunker busting bang. Historically, when the president promises something in two weeks, very often nothing happens. This time was different.
Last Thursday Trump had promised to “wait two weeks” before deciding on whether to join Israel in its military conflict with Iran. This past weekend, seventeen hours after takeoff from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and flying more than 7,000 miles non-stop, B-2 bombers crossed into Iranian territory hitting Iran’s three main nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
The aerial attack was joined by submarines stationed in the Persian Gulf that launched more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles. The Pentagon also said that 125 total aircraft took part in the operation but only the B-2 dropped ordinance.
The mission, Operation Midnight Hammer, launched Saturday at 4:40 p.m. (MDT) and was conducted with extraordinary precision. Each of the $2 billion B-2s was manned by a two-man crew for the long distance mission. It was the longest mission undertaken by the stealth bombers since 2001.
The Iranian targets were hit with between 14 and 16 GBU-57 bombs, often called ‘Bunker Busters,’ for their lethality and enormity. Each of the bombs dropped on the three nuclear enrichment sites weighs approximately 30,000 pounds and is capable of penetrating the ground to a depth of 200 feet.
The Pentagon reported that once the first ordinance was dropped, the entire mission was over in 25 minutes. It also said that the mission was not met by a single Iranian aircraft or missile.
Early Saturday evening, the President went on television to announce the secret mission. “The strikes were a spectacular military success,” he said. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a morning after media briefing, called the mission ‘brilliant’ and concurred that Iran’s nuclear program had been “devastated.” He also said that no civilian or other military sites were targeted.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the American airstrikes calling them proof of U.S. complicity in the current Israeli drone and missile attacks on his country. Washington has denied any connection to Israel’s military operations in Iran.
While Trump and the Pentagon were hailing Operation Midnight Hammer and the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites, there is a deep and surprising bi-partisan division over the decision.
Colorado congresswoman Diana DeGette called the strikes “unauthorized” and “an act of war that requires Congressional approval.” The long-serving Denver Democrat said the president’s actions risk the lives of American servicemembers and American citizens, as well.
Jason Crow, who represents the state’s 6th Congressional District, echoed DeGette. “Trump has, once again, exceeded his authority…Congress must act now and reclaim constitutional power.”
The state’s Republican House members fell in line with the President. Lauren Boebert cheered the mission’s success and Jeff Hurd, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, gave full endorsement to Trump. “I fully support actions taken to prevent an evil regime from being able to harm us.”
While our state’s congressional delegation’s reactions were unsurprising, some Republicans were critical of the decision to carry out the mission. One ordinarily staunch and ever camera-ready Trump ally, Marjorie Taylor Greene, did not hold back on her opposition to the attack.
“For decades, we’ve watched our men and women in uniform go all over the world and fight,” she said. “Americans are very tired of that.”
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie joined Taylor Greene in condemning Trump’s decision to carry out the mission. Massie called the President’s actions unconstitutional. The Constitution, he said, “does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war.”
Massie’s criticism of Operation Midnight Hammer caught Trump’s attention and in a very bad way. By Sunday evening Trump launched his own mission to ground Massie. Trump called on the party to wage a primary against the MIT grad and condemned him for not being MAGA enough.
The weekend attack on the Iranian nuclear enrichment sites has created a heightened level of security at home. The Department of Homeland Security has ordered the posting of guards at federal buildings in a number of U.S. cities. The department has also warned of potential rogue attacks at locations where people gather including churches, theaters and public venues.
Meanwhile, though Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have said the weekend’s attack on Iran should not indicate a desire for regime change, statements by the president seem not to rule it out.
On Truth Social Trump more than hinted he’s open to it. “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
While Operation Midnight Hammer has been completed and the B-2 bombers have all returned to base, military exchanges between Israel and Iran continue and Iran is now threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait is the world’s most critical passageway for oil tankers. Not only could a blockade create a military flashpoint igniting an escalation of conflict, but it would also have an almost immediate impact on worldwide oil prices.
It is estimated that the 21-mile aquatic artery is where more than 17 million barrels of oil—20 percent of daily global demand—pass each day. Tankers carrying crude from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran pass through each day.
The Strait also has a round-the-clock presence of American, British and French naval vessels. The threat of a blockade could set off an unintended domino effect, impacting gas prices, shipping costs and the price for ensuring the vessels that deliver the cargos that pass through the Strait. With U.S. forces spread across a wide swath of the region, Iran has its choice of where, when and how to retaliate. Under darkness on Monday, it chose an American base in Qatar as its first target firing multiple short and medium range missiles at Al Udeid Air Base. In response, Kuwait and Iraq have closed their airspace as a result of the attack.
