Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Florida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE (D-N.Y.) accused President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE of an "act of war" following the Thursday airstrike in Iraq he ordered that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

"Last night the President engaged in what is widely being recognized as an act of war against Iran, one that now risks the lives of millions of innocent people," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Friday.

Last night the President engaged in what is widely being recognized as an act of war against Iran, one that now risks the lives of millions of innocent people.



Now is the moment to prevent war & protect innocent people - the question for many is how, publicly & Congressionally: — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 3, 2020

The drone strike followed an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday by supporters of an Iranian-backed militia, which itself followed reciprocal airstrikes by both sides over the weekend.

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Trump's foreign policy successes confound his detractors It's time for a Jackson-Vanik Amendment for China MORE has said that "de-escalation" is the goal of the U.S. and said the attack was carried out because of "imminent threats to American lives."

Democrats, however, described the action as a "massive escalation" and said it could provoke "further dangerous escalation of violence."

Iran has warned of "harsh retaliation" following the strike.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Friday that about 3,000 U.S. troops will be deployed to the Middle East as tensions rise.