Trump Administration Predictions (11 Viewers)

[RogerCooper]

Another mischaracterization. You are inappropriately conflating two events. The president has the authority to initiate a military action without a declaration of war. Congress does have the power to declare a war but that is is independent of the authority of the president to initiate a military action.

Congress can't use this law to 're-write' the Constitution, legal scholar argues | Fox News Video

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo weighs in on whether the War Powers Act is constitutional on 'Life, Liberty & Levin.'

www.foxnews.com

John Yoo reduces Congressional power to declare war to a merely symbolic act, as his in view, the President can engage in war without limits (except by cutting off funding after the fact). At time of ratification, no one suggesting that the Constitution gave the President this authority, the debate was over whether the Congress had too much power to declare war. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C11-2-2-5/ALDE_00013913/.

Note that G W Bush went to Congress in 2002 to get specific authority to act against the Iraqi government while continuing to negotiate. There was nothing to prevent Trump from doing the same. Having clear authority to act would have strengthened his hand in negotiations.

Israel shows the danger of investing war powers in a single person. Under Israeli law (Israel has no constitution), the war power is invested in the war cabinet, who serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. Netanyahu has repeatedly engaged in wars without debate in the Knesset. Has this worked out well for Israel? Is going to war with Iran a good idea for Israel without even ending the Gaza war first. One war at a time.

 

[RogerCooper]

I've actually been surprised at the opposite- bipartisan support and praise coming from both sides of the aisle for Trump's actions. I think personally that the congressmen are thankful that they were not subjected to the political dangers of having to vote yes or no on it. Most people seem to be glad it's done

 

[Pat Hartman]

Funny, I don't see any mention of Libya, Syria, Bosnia, etc.

U.S. Senate: About Declarations of War by Congress

www.senate.gov

here was nothing to prevent Trump from doing the same.

Duh!! Secrecy comes to mind. If Trump had asked for permission, some self-righteous Dem would have called up the Ayatollah with the plans as he left the chamber.

 

[AccessBlaster]