One of the few Republicans to oppose the U.S. war against Iran, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), responded to a New York Times article (‘Number of U.S. Troop Deaths Suddenly Appears Lower on Pentagon Website’) published Thursday.
The Times reported: “The Pentagon removed the names of 4 service members who died in Jordan from their official list of casualties. They explain that this is because ‘their deaths occurred after President Trump declared a cease-fire in the war in April.'”
[NOTE: On Wednesday, the Pentagon reported a total of 18 American service members had been killed during the war against Iran; on Thursday, it reported 14 American troops had been killed in the war.]
Massie wrote on social media: “Let me explain this absurd ruse: The Pentagon is pretending there have been two Iran wars separated by a brief cease-fire. The reality: By going more than 90 days without congressional authorization @SecWar IS BREAKING THE LAW and must be held accountable.”
Let me explain this absurd ruse: The Pentagon is pretending there have been two Iran wars separated by a brief cease-fire.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 24, 2026
The reality: By going more than 90 days without congressional authorization @SecWar IS BREAKING THE LAW and must be held accountable. https://t.co/SuHcGkJcD3
Massie was one of four Republicans who broke with their party Thursday to support limiting Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran without congressional approval. The resolution passed 214-208. The other three GOP congressmen who voted with Massie are: Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Warren Davidson (OH), and Tom Barrett (MI).
[NOTE: The Senate has rejected similar measures, most recently on Thursday (49-47). U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was the only Republican to vote with Democrats in support of advancing the resolution.]
