BERGMAN

LANSING — Over the weekend, several Michigan politicians reacted to President Donald Trump’s strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites amidst its conflict with Israel. Congressman Jack Bergman released a statement supporting the attacks. Bergman, who represents the entirety of the Upper Peninsula and the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula, is a veteran himself.

“Having served 40 years in the Marine Corps — many of those as an aviator — I can say with confidence that today’s U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran showcased truly impressive precision,” Bergman wrote. “President Trump has long made it clear: Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon — and the American people overwhelmingly agree. The President gave Iran’s leader an opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement.”

Bergman continued, “By leveraging the unmatched precision of the U.S. military, the President has sent a clear message to the world about what peace through strength truly means. This was not a knee-jerk response, and knowing President Trump, he has no interest in dragging Americans into another endless war.”

“The Iranian people are at a pivotal moment — with an opportunity to push back against a brutal regime and demand the basic human rights and freedoms they’ve been denied for too long, especially the women who have endured decades of oppression.”

This was in reference to Iran’s Islamic Republic, a theocracy that forces women to obey mandatory hijab laws and allows for girls younger than thirteen to be married to adult men. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer did not explicitly condemn nor support the strikes. “My top priority is the safety and security of the people of Michigan,” Whitmer wrote. She added that she’d held a briefing with the Adjutant General of Michigan’s National Guard and Michigan State Police’s Colonel James Grady.

“We’re monitoring the situation in Iran closely and taking steps to keep Michiganders safe.” she wrote. According to a 2023 survey, there are over 4,000 Iranian-born people living in the state of Michigan. Many American citizens grew fearful of Iranian retaliation when President Donald Trump announced the bombing and destruction of multiple nuclear facilities in Iran, with the goal of preventing the country from developing a nuclear weapon. On Tuesday morning, the president announced a ceasefire had been reached between Iran and Israel.

“Congratulations to everyone! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire …” President Trump posted online.