Al Jazeera website reported on June 22 that when US President Donald Trump boasted that his authorization of the attack on Iran was a "great military victory", Democrats quickly responded by accusing him of overstepping his authority.
The report stated that many critics accused Trump of launching a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities without the approval of Congress, which violated the US Constitution.
In a statement, Senator Christopher Van Hollen Jr. said: "Trump said he would end the war; now he is dragging America into a war. His actions clearly violate the US Constitution - ignoring the rule that only Congress has the power to declare war."
Before the attack was launched by the US, bipartisan lawmakers were already pushing for relevant bills to require Trump to seek congressional advice before launching strikes.
The US Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war or authorize the use of force for specific purposes.
Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) supporters also strongly opposed the US joining Israel in war. They said that Trump won the election on the promise of not dragging America into another Middle East war. Supporters hope Trump focuses on domestic issues, especially economic problems.
The report stated that the 1973 War Powers Act further clarified the control of legislators over the military and restricted the president's power to launch wars.
Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that Trump violated the Constitution and the War Powers Act.
She said: "Trump impulsively launches a war, which may put the country at risk of war for several generations. This is absolutely sufficient reason to initiate impeachment proceedings."
According to the report, the US President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and can issue attack orders, but his decisions must be made within the framework authorized by Congress. (Compiled/Translated by Tu Qi)
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7519023321455903243/
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