Grandson of Jimmy Carter accuses Trump of 'betrayal of the American ideal'

Calling for Congress to step up and "reassert" its authorities, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter accused President Donald Trump of a "betrayal of the American ideal" over his spiraling war with Iran.

Jason Carter is a former state senator for Georgia and the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. Writing for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday, he observed that "the world did not need another war. And yet, here we are."

"Since the United States and Israel embarked on the war with Iran, at least 3,000 civilians (including hundreds of children) have been killed, the global economy has suffered, our alliances have been strained, and our geopolitical position has weakened," Carter wrote. "Our current president’s dangerous rhetoric, including a threat to destroy a 'whole civilization' and to bomb civilian infrastructure into the 'Stone Ages,' has outraged our country. It violates every discernible moral code. It is un-Christian. It is un-American."

In accusing Trump of betraying the true ideals of America, Carter argued that the country's "power has never been based on brute strength," but instead on the "250-year-old revolutionary belief that all people are created with the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

"That idea is more powerful than any bomb, and the betrayal of it can be even more destructive," Carter added.

Carter noted that his grandfather faced serious consequences, including his reelection defeat in 1980, over his decision not to bomb Iran in the wake of the hostage crisis, but despite that, he argued that this decision was done in "adherence to America’s greatest values" and the "belief that we must preserve America as a beacon for democracy, dignity and peace."

Carter concluded his argument by asserting that "the modern presidency has become too strong," and urged the American people to press Congress into action against Trump's abuse of it.

"The American people must demand that Congress assert their constitutional authority and restore our system of checks and balances. Restoring, for example, their claim to the power of the purse and the power to declare war," he wrote. "No president should have this much unchecked power. And that is true whether they demonstrate faith and fealty to our values, whether they feel the weight of history or — most especially — if they do not."