https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/08/most-disturbing-part-mike-lees-broadside-agains
t-trump-administrations-iran-briefing/
t-trump-administrations-iran-briefing/
On January 3, 2019, President Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general, by drone strike. The exact reasoning of this decision is unclear, but the Iranian attack on the U.S. embassy in Iraq and the *potential* — according to the White House administration, at least— threat of a future attack under the command of Soleimani. As commander in chief and under the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists (AUMF), Trump can technically order this military action without Congress’ approval since his actions are not considered an actual war with Iran. By using drones, Trump can circumvent the War Powers Resolution regarding holding physical armed forces in Iran and continue the conflict without being restricted by the 60 day limit.
Trump may be using Soleimani’s assassination as a political move that diverts the press from news about impeachment and get them to move on to the next news cycle, but it seems to have backfired on him, as Republicans are condemnning the vague military briefing and the administration’s discouragement of debate on the topic, hostilities from Iran have increased, and the House has approved a resolution that should prevent the president from continuing to engage in military activity in Iran without Congressional approval.
When Trump ignores the House’s new War Powers Resolution, what can Congress do to ensure he is held responsible for both his military actions and attempts to ignore the checks and balances placed on the presidency?
Trump may be using Soleimani’s assassination as a political move that diverts the press from news about impeachment and get them to move on to the next news cycle, but it seems to have backfired on him, as Republicans are condemnning the vague military briefing and the administration’s discouragement of debate on the topic, hostilities from Iran have increased, and the House has approved a resolution that should prevent the president from continuing to engage in military activity in Iran without Congressional approval.
When Trump ignores the House’s new War Powers Resolution, what can Congress do to ensure he is held responsible for both his military actions and attempts to ignore the checks and balances placed on the presidency?
3 comments:
I think it has become clear to many people that Trump tends to ignore the checks and balances system, especially when it is trying to address his errors. I think an obvious solution here would be to place restrictions on what a president can do with the military without congressional approval. Personally, I feel that the president (Trump in particular) shouldn't be able to attack any nation or person without congressional approval. Killing another nation's leader is a big deal, and I don't think Trump is mature enough for this kind of responsibility or decision making. I'm angry that assasination is even an option for him; shouldn't he be trying to create peaceful relations? I'm just in awe of this man and his impulsive decision making.
Aside from passing new legislation, I don’t think there's anything Congress can do to limit the President’s power. That being said, I already believe the POTUS is being held responsible for his actions, particularly since every news and media source has enumerated it in the thousands of articles they post on his every decision. It makes logical sense that the system of checks and balances would naturally erode since Congress always seems to be in partisan gridlock (the president would likely take decisive action regardless of party affiliation if Congress is unable to pass or get anything done). Until we can find a way to streamline or make Congress more efficient, I think the president absorbing more power is a natural course for this nation. As for the claim that Trump is using the assassination to divert eyes from his impeachment, I think this is an incredibly spot on observation (though I think moving past the impeachment is the best thing Trump could’ve done, as I wouldn’t advise resting on his laurels as he awaits the 2020 presidential election).
Regarding the issue of Congress limiting Trump's power, I believe that they are unable to manage the president's power as Trump tends to ignore the checks and balances system and do as he pleases. Even though Congress can pass a legislation that invalidates the actions of the executive order, this rarely happens because members of the president's party are also a part of the majority in Congress. Even though limiting the President's power would be a good idea, limiting the president's power would be hard as the president himself would be able to limit what Congress can do.
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