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.
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
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 24, 2026
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.]