Rep. Yassamin Ansari Says Regime Change in Iran Must ‘Come From Within’

Rep. Yassamin Ansari condemned President Donald Trump’s war on Iran as an ineffective means to enact regime change in the country.

“Ultimately, I think change does need to come from within,” Ansari told NOTUS’ Daniella Diaz on the latest episode of the On NOTUS podcast. “I don’t think foreign-imposed intervention and propping up of another leader is the way to go at all.

“History shows us that, I’m not just saying that,” Ansari added. “It’s not my opinion. It’s what history has shown us is not successful.”

Ansari is the first and only member of the House Democratic Caucus who is Iranian-American and has family members living in the country. She said that since the war with Iran began, she has offered other lawmakers perspectives on how the regime and the war have affected Iranians.

“I think Iran always has been — after 40-some years of hostile relationships between the U.S. and the country — kind of a black box,” Ansari said. “People don’t know what really goes on. Some people may equate the regime with the population, and so I’ve really appreciated the fact that my colleagues have a lot of questions.”

Lawmakers, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about classified briefings on the war lacking important details and leaving representatives’ questions unanswered. Ansari said uncertainty over both the war and the president’s intentions has made Congress’ job more difficult.

“It’s very challenging to be a lawmaker at this time,” Ansari said. “Of course, we know this war was started and is continuing without congressional authorization. It’s wildly, wildly illegal. So, my colleagues and I continue to have massive concerns, and we still don’t even have an off-ramp. The president changes his tune every single day on this.”

At 33, Ansari is one of the youngest members in the House. She represents an incoming group of younger legislators entering the playing field as longtime Democratic leaders like Rep. Nancy Pelosi — who she once worked for as an intern — are retiring.

As Democrats begin throwing out names for possible 2028 presidential contenders, Ansari said a competitive primary would best serve the party.

“I am excited for a 2020-style primary where we really can compete and have people just have the best person come to the top because we really cannot afford to just kind of appoint someone,” Ansari said. “It’s going to have to be someone with a bold vision, someone who can really speak to the issues that this country is facing from unprecedented corruption and authoritarianism and provide real solutions to how they are going to solve people’s problems.”

On NOTUS is a weekly podcast where NOTUS reporters talk to lawmakers about how they got to Washington and what motivates them. You can download or listen here.