{"id":1385,"date":"2025-06-22T12:39:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T12:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2025\/06\/22\/patently-illegal-critics-dispute-legality-of-trumps-iran-strikes\/"},"modified":"2025-06-22T12:39:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T12:39:38","slug":"patently-illegal-critics-dispute-legality-of-trumps-iran-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2025\/06\/22\/patently-illegal-critics-dispute-legality-of-trumps-iran-strikes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Patently illegal\u2019: Critics dispute legality of Trump\u2019s Iran strikes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Washington, DC \u2013<\/strong> As United States President Donald Trump lauded what he called the \u201cspectacular military success\u201d of the strikes<\/a> he authorised against Iran, Democrats were quick to accuse him of overstepping his authority.<\/p>\n

Numerous critics accused Trump late on Saturday of violating the US Constitution by launching military attacks<\/a> against Iran\u2019s nuclear sites without the approval of Congress.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrump said he would end wars; now he has dragged America into one,\u201d Senator Christopher Van Hollen Junior said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis actions are a clear violation of our Constitution \u2013 ignoring the requirement that only the Congress has the authority to declare war.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the lead up to the US attacks, legislators from both main parties have pushed measures to compel Trump to approach Congress before launching any strikes.<\/p>\n

The US Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war or authorise the use of force for specific purposes.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d (MAGA) base has also been vehement in its opposition to the US joining Israel\u2019s war. It has pointed out that Trump won the election on the promise not to commit Washington to yet another war in the Middle East. They want Trump to focus on domestic issues, particularly the economy.<\/p>\n

\u2018Grounds for impeachment\u2019<\/h2>\n

Lawmakers\u2019 authority over the military was further enshrined in the War Powers Resolution<\/a> of 1973, which curbed the president\u2019s war-making powers.<\/p>\n

Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Trump violated the constitution and the War Powers Resolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, so he can order attacks, but his decisions must be within the guidelines of what is authorised by Congress.<\/p>\n

However, the president can order the military in the case of a \u201csudden attack\u201d or to respond to emergencies.<\/p>\n

Several Democrats were quick to note that Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities, which have been operating for years, did not pose an imminent threat to the US.<\/p>\n

The US intelligence community<\/a> confirmed in an assessment in March that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n

Trump has increasingly relied on executive powers in governing domestically, and now he appears to be sidelining Congress in his foreign policy.<\/p>\n

But with Republicans in control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, lawmakers have few tools to influence his military decision. Impeachment is almost out of the question.<\/p>\n

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President Trump sending U.S. troops to bomb Iran without the consent of Congress is a blatant violation of our Constitution. pic.twitter.com\/pqzAeS4K19<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) June 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n