The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its 6th day, and the US military has so far attacked more than 1,000 targets, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and many of his cabinet ministers. In retaliation, Iran targeted many of its bases in other Middle Eastern countries. The conflict has now spread to Asia after a US submarine sank an Iranian navy vessel near Sri Lanka on Wednesday, March 4.
With the US-Israel conflict escalating and more countries joining in, Democrats have now begun to question President Donald Trump’s military authority, first in Venezuela, now in the Middle East.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Donald Trump has provided several justifications. He said he felt Iran was about to attack and that the operation was aimed at eliminating immediate threats to the United States, its foreign bases and its allies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently told reporters that “the goals of this operation are to destroy their ballistic missile capability and make sure it can’t be recovered and make sure they can’t hide behind it to have a nuclear program.”
The Secretary of State also said that Israel’s impending strikes on Iran were the reason why America proceeded to launch a barrage of missiles at Iran.
Neither has yet produced any evidence.
What does the US Constitution say?
Reuters cited some legal experts who said the attacks on Iran were pushing the limits of Trump’s constitutional authority. Under the US Constitution, the president commands the armed forces and directs foreign relations, but only Congress has the power to declare war.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which was created by Congress, gives lawmakers “the power … to declare war.”
Article II, which established the Presidency, designates the President as “Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy.”
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The Constitution also grants Congress authority over military spending.
In 2001 and 2003, Congress authorized major military operations when former President George W. Bush declared invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Under the War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973, the president can only deploy the military when Congress has declared war, granted special authority, or responded to an attack on US territory or its military.
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It requires the president to report regularly to Congress, which the administration began doing Monday.
The resolution also calls for the military action to end within 60 days. “The The President can extend this 60-day period another 30 days by written confirmation to Congress of the necessity of further use of force,” it reads.
According to congress.gov, “A bill or joint resolution directing the President to withdraw American forces abroad may be introduced at any time in either chamber.”
US Senate vote
The US Senate voted down a War Powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military action, “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, with the measure failing 47-53 along mostly party lines, Fox News reported.
Senate Republicans rallied behind President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time), handing him a major political victory when they defeated a Democratic resolution that would have reined in his military actions in Iran despite lingering questions about America’s involvement in the Middle East.
