Maine’s elected officials reacted Sunday to President Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. forces launched strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.
“The president has taken a profoundly important — and potentially dangerous — step in ordering the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities and thus risking U.S. involvement in another debilitating war in the Middle East.
Over the next several weeks we will be in a better position to determine the results of this attack, both in terms of Iran’s response and the actual impact of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear capacity.
Beyond the risks entailed by the president’s decision, however, are questions surrounding the manner in which the decision was made — entirely unilaterally without consultation with our allies (except Israel), or Congress. Our Constitution explicitly places the responsibility to “declare war” on Congress for a very good reason, to avoid the danger inherent in placing that awesome power in the hands of one person.
Clearly, the president must have the power to act in national self-defense or when faced with an imminent threat to our national interest, but respect for the Constitution and the common sense policy it embodies should require some level of consultation with Congress if at all possible.
In this case, there was a process available on virtually a moment’s notice, albeit short of full Congressional action on a declaration of war or authorization of the use of military force. This process, well established in urgent circumstances, is to notify congressional leadership and the leadership of the national security committees.
In this way, the president would have the opportunity to present to the peoples’ representatives the intelligence basis for the decision, the pros and cons of the proposed action, and the means to be employed.
Although not a veto, this process would ensure that the appropriate questions would be raised and the president would hear points of view not necessarily aligned with his own close advisors.
The results of these strikes may turn out to be successful — the end of Iran’s nuclear program and its aggression in the region — but the risks are no less real — that Iran may have nuclear facilities we don’t know about and conclude that they have no choice but to race to a bomb.
But with either result, the question remains whether this decision was made in such a way as to protect our country while at the same time minimizing the risk of a war no one wants.”
“The president’s decision to bomb Iran without the authorization of Congress is reckless, unconstitutional, and puts countless lives at risk — including U.S. troops currently stationed in the Middle East.
No president has the authority to launch a military attack against any country without Congressional authorization — especially when there’s no imminent threat to the American people. This is unconstitutional.
It is imperative that Congress convene as soon as possible to address this crisis, to vote on the bipartisan War Powers Act introduced last week, and to make clear to the president that the United States must not be dragged into another war in the Middle East.”
While influenza remains the top concern for Maine public health experts, other viruses are also currently circulating, including norovirus and COVID-19.
“Influenza is clearly the main event,” said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, a MaineHealth infectious disease specialist. “The curve in terms of the rise of influenza cases was really steep.”
Maine reported 1,343 flu cases for the week ending Jan. 3, an uptick from the 1,283 cases recorded the previous week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations increased to 147 from 108 during the same time periods.
“I hope the peak is now,” Liechty said, “but I’m not really sure.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that all of New England, except for Vermont, is currently experiencing “very high” levels of influenza. Vermont is in the “moderate” category.
“What we are seeing, overwhelmingly, is the flu,” said Andrew Donovan, associate vice president of infection prevention for Northern Light Health. “We are seeing both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in our patients.”
Norovirus also appears to be circulating, although due to its short duration and because it’s less severe than the flu, public health data on the illness — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically resolve within a few days — is not as robust.
“Norovirus is the gastrointestinal scourge of New England winters and cruise ships,” Liechty said.
According to surveillance data at wastewater treatment plants in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, norovirus levels detected in those communities are currently “high.” The treatment plants participate in WastewaterSCAN, which reports virus levels in wastewater through a program run by Stanford University and Emory University.
Dr. Genevieve Whiting, a Westbrook pediatrician and secretary of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said viruses are prevalent right now, especially the flu and norovirus.
“For my patients right now, it’s a rare encounter that I hear everyone in a family has been healthy,” Whiting said. “I’ve had families come in and say their entire family has had norovirus. Several of my patients have had ER visits for suspected norovirus, where they needed IV fluids because they were dehydrated.”
Both Liechty and Whiting said they are seeing less respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, likely because there has been good uptake of the new RSV vaccine, which is recommended for older people and those who are pregnant. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
“The RSV vaccine has been a real success, as RSV was a leading cause of hospitalizations for babies,” Whiting said.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases increased to 610 in the final week of 2025, compared to 279 the previous week. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at primary care, pharmacies and clinics across the state.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet,” Liechty said, “you should beat a hasty path to get your shot.”
Defensemen Max Wanner was re-assigned to the Maine Mariners from the Providence Bruins on Thursday. Defenseman Michael Underwood was also re-assigned to Maine.
Wanner, 22, was acquired by the Boston Bruins when they traded Trent Federic to Edmonton last March. He played in 15 games for the AHL Providence Bruins at the end of last season, and seven this season.
Underwood returns for his second stint with the Mariners. He appeared in 67 games with Maine last season.
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