Overview
- The National Catholic Reporter labeled the president’s threats to obliterate Iran a “descent into corporate evil” in a staff editorial.
- The editorial cited his vows to blow up bridges and power plants and his post that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Catholic leaders and the Vatican condemned the rhetoric as violating just‑war teaching and international law and criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for invoking Jesus to justify strikes.
- Figures across the right and left, including some former supporters, urged officials to refuse unlawful commands and pressed for the 25th Amendment or impeachment to be considered.
- A reported two‑week ceasefire followed a last‑minute acceptance of a 10‑point proposal from Iran, but the episode intensified a debate over faith used to validate war and the limits of presidential power.