What Next - What Can a Senator Do to Stop Trump?

In this urgent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris speaks with Senator Mark Warner of Virginia amid a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, triggered by President Donald Trump's threatening post on Truth Social, warning of 'a whole civilization will die tonight' and threatening military action against Iran. Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, expresses deep alarm over the president's erratic behavior and the lack of congressional oversight, noting that even members of the 'Gang of Eight' were not informed of key military deployments or plans. He outlines the grim realities of a potential war—unrealistic military objectives, unsustainable costs, and the risk of a prolonged conflict with no clear endgame—while emphasizing that no viable strategy exists to achieve the president’s goals without massive troop commitments or war crimes. Warner rejects the idea of a 'moral obligation to finish' a war once started, advocating instead for congressional accountability, pre-bunking misinformation, and empowering military and intelligence officials to resist unlawful orders. He calls for immediate legislative action, including supporting Tim Kaine’s resolution to stop the war, and stresses the need for both bipartisan pressure and electoral accountability. Despite the lack of immediate action from Republican colleagues, Warner remains committed to building a critical mass of resistance and preparing for the long-term consequences of a war of choice. The episode ends with the president backing down from his 8 p.m. deadline, claiming a two-week ceasefire, but uncertainty remains over the Strait of Hormuz. Warner underscores that the real danger lies not just in military escalation, but in the erosion of constitutional checks and balances, the normalization of authoritarian behavior, and the silencing of dissent within the military and intelligence communities. He warns that without immediate action, the U.S. risks becoming a nation where the president acts unilaterally, and Congress fails to act as a safeguard. The conversation is a sobering call to action for citizens, journalists, and lawmakers alike to speak up before the next crisis.