War

Lindsey Graham Says the President Can Start a War, but Only Congress Can End It

The feeling is perfectly consistent: Graham feels it should be as easy to possible for the U.S. to start a war, and as hard as possible to end one.

Joe Lancaster | 4.9.2026 8:00 AM

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(Illustration: Midjourney/Splosh/Cynthia Hanevy/Dreamstime)

This week, Iran submitted a list of demands to end the U.S.' ongoing war in that country; President Donald Trump said he and other officials "believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate." Either way, it's clear most Americans are hoping for an off-ramp from a conflict that is wreaking havoc on gas prices and American infrastructure.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.) suggested Congress has a role to play in that process. But given his past statements, as the Senate's biggest supporter of war with Iran, Graham apparently thinks Congress can only end a war, not start one.

"Like everyone, I hope we can end the reign of terror of the Iranian regime through diplomacy," Graham wrote on X. "As to an Iranian ten point proposal to end the war, I look forward to reviewing it at the appropriate time and its submission to Congress for a vote, like we did with the Obama JCPOA"—referencing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 multinational agreement that sought to limit Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, calling it "one of the worst and most........

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