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The U.S. Constitution assigns Congress the sole authority to declare war under Article I, Section 8, but recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan have reignited debate over whether President Trump needs congressional approval to engage in further military action against Iran.
Critics, including Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Tim Kaine, argue that Trump’s unilateral strikes violate the Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Resolution, with Ocasio-Cortez calling the action “grounds for impeachment” and Kaine demanding a congressional vote to enforce war powers. Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Chuck Schumer also condemn the lack of authorization, with Khanna pushing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution alongside Rep. Thomas Massie to prevent escalation without Congress’s consent.
Conversely, supporters like Sen. Lindsey Graham and House Speaker Mike Johnson assert that Trump has constitutional authority as commander-in-chief under Article II to act swiftly against Iran’s nuclear threat without prior approval. Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. John Fetterman back the strikes, with Fetterman stating Iran’s terrorism sponsorship justifies the action. Some Republicans, like Massie and Rep. Warren Davidson, break ranks, joining Democrats in questioning the strikes’ constitutionality.
The debate centers on whether the strikes constitute “war” requiring congressional approval or a limited action within presidential powers, with the Office of Legal Counsel’s vague definition of “prolonged and substantial” engagements fueling ambiguity. Trump’s defenders argue the strikes were a one-off to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while critics warn of escalation into a broader conflict without legislative oversight. The absence of a formal war declaration since World War II and past presidential actions, like Obama’s 2011 Libya intervention, showcase the ongoing tension between branches. As Iran threatens retaliation, lawmakers like Massie and Khanna urge Congress to reclaim its war powers to prevent another prolonged Middle East conflict.
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