Tennessee Congressional Delegation Supports President Trump’s Decision to Attack Iran

Kaitlin Housler
Rep. Andy Ogles, Sens. Marsh Blackburn, Bill Hagerty

Tennessee’s Republican members of Congress are voicing strong support for President Donald Trump following the launch of major U.S. combat operations against Iran in coordination with Israel.

Overnight Saturday, the U.S. announced a sweeping military campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and naval assets. In a video address, Trump said the objective is to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime and to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The operation follows months of escalating tensions, including prior U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.

Iranian forces have since responded with missile launches targeting Israel and major U.S. bases in the region.

A group of Republicans representing the Volunteer State in congress released statements on Saturday in response to the attacks.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said, “The Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ for decades. It’s time to end the reign of terror.”

U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) emphasized what he described as the regime’s decades-long record of violence.

“The world knows the death and destruction that Iran has perpetrated for decades. The regime must be held accountable,” Hagerty wrote. “President Trump knows that strength – not weakness – brings peace.”

He added that the president “will not pass the buck to avoid necessary decisions to protect the American people,” and concluded with a prayer for U.S. service members and American allies.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) expressed support for both Trump and Israeli leadership.

“I firmly stand with the people of Iran and support their right to take their country back from the mass murderer the Ayatollah,” Ogles posted. He thanked Trump and the White House for their leadership and praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “your partnership in securing freedom in the region.”

In a follow-up message, Ogles wrote, “Pray for our American warriors and pray for the people of Iran. Peace through strength is our credo.”

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) echoed calls for both prayer and regime change.

“The Iranian people deserve a chance at freedom,” Burchett posted. “Pray for our country, for our troops, and for the liberation of the Iranian people.”

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) pointed to Iran’s long-standing designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

“For decades, Iran and its theocratic dictatorship have been the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, threatening the United States and the peace of the world,” Fleischmann wrote. “President Trump will always defend America’s national security and interests. May God bless the men and women of our armed forces and our coalition partners.”

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) urged Tennesseans to support American troops, friends, and allies through prayer.

U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-TN-06) also voiced his support for the president’s decision.

“Despite decades of diplomacy, Iran remains the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism,” Rose wrote. “President Trump is taking decisive action to secure our nation, our troops overseas, and our allies around the globe.”

“Iran must NEVER be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. God bless our troops. God bless the United States,” he added.

Combat veteran and West Point graduate U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-TN-07) also voiced strong support for Trump’s decision, drawing on his military background as he addressed the escalating conflict with Iran.

Van Epps, who served nine combat deployments – including eight with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment  – said the Iranian regime has long been defined by repression at home and aggression abroad.

“I support President Trump’s decision to take firm action in defense of American interests and regional stability,” he wrote, adding that he is praying for U.S. servicemembers and stands with the Iranian people “in their pursuit of freedom, dignity, and a government that respects their fundamental rights.”

State leaders are also reacting to the military developments in the Middle East.

In a statement sent to The Tennessee Star, State Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) (pictured here), who is running in the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, said, “Today, I pray for God’s protection over our brave U.S. troops and the nation of Israel.”

Johnny Garrett

“We are lifting up President Trump and our leaders as they oversee this operation, asking for strength, wisdom, and discernment in every decision they make. President Trump has made clear that Iran’s path forward is a choice – a choice to be a force of evil or a force of good. I’m especially praying for the people of Iran who desperately want peace, freedom, and a future,” Garrett added.

Van Hilleary

Fellow TN-6 Candidate Van Hilleary (pictured here) told The Star in an emailed statement that he also stands with the president and his judgement about Iran. “As Americans, I believe we need to trust President Trump’s judgment, which is informed by the latest intelligence, that the benefits of attacking Iran at this time outweigh any potential downside, and in doing so, we’re taking advantage of Iran’s unusually weakened state to take an America-hating regime off the table and eliminate it’s ability to terrorize with nuclear weapons,” he said.

“Godspeed to our Navy and other military personnel in harm’s way.”

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.

Editor’s note: This report was updated to include additional remarks from elected official and candidates for office in Tennessee.

 

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One Thought to “Tennessee Congressional Delegation Supports President Trump’s Decision to Attack Iran”

  1. Enough Warmongers
    February 28, 2026 at 10:03 pm

    Time to clean house in TN. None of these warmongers are worth electing.

    Reply

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