Trump Hints War Powers Act Unconstitutional Amid 60-Day Iran Deadline
President Donald Trump said Friday that the War Powers Act, which requires presidents to seek congressional authorization for foreign conflicts, may be unconstitutional as the Iran war reached the 60-day mark, a key deadline under the Vietnam War-era law.
The United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, but Donald Trump formally notified Congress on March 2 regarding U.S. military operations against the country — 60 days ago on Friday, The Hill reported.
Ahead of a weekend trip to his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, Trump was asked whether he would now seek lawmakers’ approval.
“It’s never been sought before, there’s been numerous, many, many times and nobody’s ever gotten it before, they consider it totally unconstitutional,” Trump told reporters before leaving the White House.
But we’re always in touch with Congress
“But we’re always in touch with Congress. But, nobody’s ever sought it before; nobody’s ever asked for it before; it’s never been used before. Why should we be different?” he said.
Most presidents have said since the law was passed in 1973 they considered it to be an unconstitutional infringement on the commander-in-chief’s authority to take action to defend the country.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during congressional testimony on Thursday that Trump has essentially complied with the 60-day requirement by ordering a cease-fire last month, The Hill added. “We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire,” Hegseth told Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
The War Powers Act gives the president 60 days to conduct military action in response to an “imminent threat” before either ending hostilities or obtaining authorization from Congress
The War Powers Act gives the president 60 days to conduct military action in response to an “imminent threat” before either ending hostilities or obtaining authorization from Congress. A president may also request an additional 30-day extension to allow for the safe withdrawal of troops.
Senate Democrats have attempted six times to pass a war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The most recent effort failed Thursday by a 47-50 vote, The Hill added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) took the administration’s view. “I don’t think we have an active, kinetic military bombing, firing or anything like that. Right now, we are trying to broker a peace,” he said, per The Hill. “I would be very reluctant to get in front of the administration in the midst of these very sensitive negotiations, so we’ll have to see how that plays out.”
While direct military strikes have largely paused, the United States and Iran remain locked in a damaging standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, the vital maritime chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global energy supplies pass
While direct military strikes have largely paused, the United States and Iran remain locked in a damaging standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, the vital maritime chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global energy supplies pass. Iran has threatened to target ships transiting the strait without coordination and has imposed tolls on some vessels.
The United States has also moved to block Iranian oil tankers and commercial ships in an effort to pressure the Islamic Republic to accept American demands.
The crisis in the Strait has further complicated talks between the U.S. and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. has demanded that Iran give up its program to enrich uranium and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be used to build a nuclear weapon. Iran claims it does not seek nuclear weapons but hasn’t agreed to end its nuclear program.
Also, reports last month noted that Iranian negotiators admitted to the U.S
Also, reports last month noted that Iranian negotiators admitted to the U.S. the country had enough uranium to make about a dozen bombs.
Trump told reporters Friday he was not “satisfied” with recent proposals sent over by Iran. “They want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it,” he said, without providing any details. “They’re asking for things I can’t agree to.”
