We celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence this year. In two years, we will celebrate the anniversary of the sacred document that sustains that independence – the United States Constitution. Hopefully, it will still remain the law of the land.
President Donald Trump pays little attention to it. Congress fails to uphold it. Only the U.S. Supreme Court has held it sacrosanct; but the court’s record on that has become spotty as it dallies and allows both executive and legislative branch exceptions.
The latest incident is the Iran war. The constitution is clear. Congress has the sole power “To declare War.”
Last week, Sen. Roger Wicker published a powerful opinion piece justifying the president’s decision to attack Iran. “I believe the decision was profound, deliberate, and correct,” he said
There was just one problem. It has nothing to do with whether you support the president’s actions or not. The senator’s argument should have been made to congress in support of a war powers resolution. Without an authorizing resolution, the president’s action amounts to a breach of Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11.
The commander-in-chief may take initial military action without congressional authorization when the U.S. is under attack or imminent threat or is part of an authorized U.N. or NATO action. When the scope escalates, congressional authorization becomes required.
This war began Feb. 28. Joint strikes with Israel killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and three top military leaders. In five days, the U.S. hit nearly 2,000 targets, began dismantling Iran’s missile industrial base and naval assets, and killed more key leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran attacks closed the Strait of Hormuz and spread to multiple countries in the region. Civilian deaths in Iran began to mount, six American soldiers lost their lives, and 140 were injured. The president is considering sending in U.S. troops to secure Iran’s enriched uranium. Bombardments and missile/drone interceptor fire continue daily. Pentagon officials have warned of “scary high” shortages of precision-strike Tomahawk missiles and Patriot PAC-3s interceptors. Over 2,400 ballistic missiles and 3,500 drones were used during the first two days of attacks.
Senior Republicans told Politico they expect the president to request an emergency appropriation of up to $50 billion to replenish supplies and pay for extended support of American armadas, aircraft, and deployed forces.
“Once you make the vow, you must be careful to do as you have said” – Deuteronomy 23:21.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from North Jackson.
23 comments:
Was it constitutionally correct for the President to authorize an attack on the Iranian leadership & then ask congress for approval under the War Powers act to expand military action to destroy Iranian military.
"According to the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) in the Department of Justice, Article II affords the President
constitutional power to 'deploy the military to protect American persons and interests without seeking prior authorization from Congress.' This interpretation gives the President 'a great deal of discretion' to decide what events warrant U.S. military intervention."
https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/LSB/PDF/LSB11232/LSB11232.1.pdf
Let's ask Barry O for his opinion.
Sen Wicker to uphold constitution? Ha! Backstabber can't even sign on for a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act. F' all of 'em!
sorry friend but he didnt do diddly squat for American interests. This was 100% for Zionist interests and Zionists arent American patriots AT ALL because their allegiance is either to a foreign land or they are being blackmailed by the foreign land.
Yes, it was. Now go back and watch reruns of The View.
Curiously, neither dissent nor so much as comment is brooked on the “Live from Iran” post just previous.
Likely, neither will this comment will appear.
Nuke the regime back to the stone age.
Yes it was. Turn off you computer and go back to watching CNN, MSnow, and your favorite, The View.
Big O was a little more moderate innhis Zionism and slightly more diplomatic when he ordered reaper drones to strike weddings and childrens birthday parties in Syria, Libya, Sudan, etc.
Again,”Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” And, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Some time a president has to do something and he cannot wait for years for politicians to argue about it. Especially with this president. Many people are willing to allow damage to be done just because they want to damage the president and will allow things to harm their own country. When people think doing damage to a person is more important that helping their own country it is time to bypass them.
What would be the point in authorizing a war after the fact? That would make what Trump did “constutional” when in fact Trump was required to seek authorization before beginning the war? Does anyone see that if an after the fact authorization is constitutional then presidents can begin wars when they want, daring congress to embarrass the country or worse by denying authorization? As to Roger Wicker, that man may be useful to the State by bringing home federal bacon, but he ain’t no genius and he really isn’t more than a cheerleader for Trump. I don’t think Wicker gets what is really at issue here, which is the necessity of congress defending its role in the federal government. However, he is hardly the only one there who puts the interests of party or president above constitutional government or even the good of the country.
For clarification, we haven’t declared war since WW2. Truman/Eisnehower didn’t in Korea, JFK/LBJ/Nixon didn’t in Vietnam’s, Clinton in Bosnia/Yugo, Bush didn’t, Obama didn’t, Biden was asleep in his recliner, etc. I don’t recall ol Bill being this upset with Obama
STFU, Bill, you ignorant cuck. Where were you asking about this when Barry O was drone-killing US citizens?
Nope. There was another Iran-related post below it so you had plenty of opportunity to comment. Don't really care as some of you are so predictable I can write your comments ahead of time.
I voted for Trump twice....and couldn't be more disappointed. Aside from stopping the invasion at the border, he's sold his soul - and ours - to the Zionists who are his administration's puppet masters.
... and he really isn’t more than a cheerleader for Trump.
Hardly.
@12:30 - you and your ilk should all be thankful the Israelis are on our side. Without them, the Iranians would have, by now, the bomb, and after dismantling Israel, would be nuking us. Your history classes must not have taught you about Neville Chamberlain.
You voted for Trump twice and now you’re “disappointed” because you think he sold his soul and ours to the Zionists? That’s not disappointment. That’s a pathetic half-step toward admitting you helped unleash a monster while still trying to save face.
You pat yourself on the back for “stopping the invasion at the border.” What a sick joke. What he actually did was turn the border into a militarized killing field where American citizens get shot by trigger-happy enforcers, families are ripped apart in front of cameras, and the whole thing is dressed up as patriotism. He shifted real FBI resources away from actual threats so he could chase his deportation fantasy, raid foreign countries, threaten neighbors, and treat human beings like garbage for his rallies. If that’s your big win, congratulations—you cheered for cruelty and called it security.
And the Zionist puppet-master whining? Spare me. Trump isn’t some helpless marionette. He’s the eager salesman who handed Israel a blank check, trashed any hope of a two-state future, cheered on settlement expansion, and dragged America toward more endless war in the Middle East. He didn’t sell his soul; he auctioned off American blood, treasure, and credibility for applause from one side while pretending it’s “America First.” That’s not being controlled. That’s being complicit.
You had two full chances to see the grift. Two full terms of watching him turn the country into his personal revenge playground, torch alliances, cozy up to dictators, lie nonstop, and leave the world more dangerous. And only now, years later, do you muster this weak little “I’m disappointed” because the flavor of the poison doesn’t match your preferred conspiracy?
Wake up or shut up. The rest of us have been living in the wreckage you helped create. Your regret is too little, too late, and way too self-serving. You don’t get to play the victim after casting the votes that lit the match.
lol@ 9:38 and 10:36
nope just watching Tucker Carlson and old Charlie Kirk videos.
the congress has not issued a declaration of war since the japs bombed pearl harbor in december 1941.
why should they start now?
Schumer, thanks for checking in. Or is this Bennie?
Post a Comment