RICHMOND, Va. — Protesters gathered in Richmond's Abner Clay Park on Sunday to demonstrate against U.S. military airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, just one day after President Trump announced the action.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation organized the protest, which drew about 50 people concerned about potential retaliation and further conflict in the Middle East.
Rain Burroughs with Veterans for Peace expressed worry that the strikes could lead to another war.
"The people of the United States do not want a war with Iran; that is the majority," Burroughs said. "I think MAGA folks are having a big, big pile of buyer's remorse. Trump ran against war."
Protesters criticized the use of military resources abroad instead of addressing domestic needs, saying "money is being spent on wars instead of at home."
Alex, a protester at the event, emphasized the importance of public awareness about international conflicts.
"As people we need to be paying attention to what's happening and these actions affect everybody," Alex said.
WATCH: Top US military officer says 3 Iranian nuclear sites sustained 'extremely severe damage and destruction'
In Virginia, lawmakers are divided on the president's decision.
Congressman John McGuire (R), who represents Virginia's 5th Congressional District, supported the action in a statement.
"President Trump was clear: Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Iran is a state sponsor of terror, and they have a history of killing U.S. service members and others around the world," McGuire stated.
President Trump was clear: Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Iran is a state sponsor of terror, and they have a history of killing US service members and others around the world. This is a historic moment, and future generations will not have to live with a…
— Congressman John McGuire (@RepJohnMcGuire) June 22, 2025
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) shared his support on social media: "President Donald Trump meant what he has said over and over again: Iran must never have nuclear weapons. Promises made, promises kept."
President Donald J. Trump meant what he has said over and over again: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Promises made, promises kept 🇺🇸
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) June 22, 2025
Sen. Mark Warner (D) expressed concerns about the process behind the decision.
"There's no question that Iran poses a serious threat to regional stability and the United States must remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel's security and in ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. But launching direct military strikes without authorization from or consultation with Congress raises urgent questions," Warner said.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) June 22, 2025
Sen. Tim Kaine (D) also questioned Trump's decision.
"The American public is overwhelmingly opposed to the U.S. waging war on Iran," Kaine posted on social media on Saturday. "And the Israeli Foreign Minister admitted yesterday that Israeli bombing had set the Iranian nuclear program back “at least 2 or 3 years.” So what made Trump recklessly decide to rush and bomb today?"
"Congress needs to be notified, not after the fact, but in advance. We were not," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) says of the U.S. strikes carried out against Iran in "Operation Midnight Hammer."
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) June 22, 2025
"The United States should not be in an offensive war against Iran without a vote of Congress.… pic.twitter.com/LRckvOKwRt
Many protesters expressed fear about the unknown consequences of military escalation.
"It breaks my heart to see children being blown apart and starved to death and now we're spreading that," Christiane Riederer said. "It wasn't enough to be in Israel and Palestine; we had to go to Lebanon and Syria and Libya and now we're bombing Iran. I'm just waiting for it to come back and start falling in our laps."
WATCH: Trump addresses nation on US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
Trump is open to regime change in Iran, after his administration said that wasn't the goal
President Donald Trump is calling into question the future of Iran’s ruling theocracy after a surprise attack on three of the country’s nuclear sites, the Associated Press reported Sunday.
The move seemingly contradicts his administration’s earlier calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting.
Trump says on social media, “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”
The posting on Truth Social on Sunday evening marked something of a reversal from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s morning news conference that detailed the aerial bombing.
Hegseth had said, “This mission was not and has not been about regime change."
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