Summary
- The legal deadline for Trump’s war with Iran, which began on Feb. 28, is three days away, but there are no signs the administration is rushing to end the conflict.
- The War Powers Resolution allows military operations to continue for 60 days without congressional approval, with a 30-day extension possible only for the withdrawal of US forces, but no such step has been taken.
- Republicans have maintained tacit support for the war with Iran, while Democratic resolutions aimed at limiting the president’s wartime authority were all voted down.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Operations Can’t Continue Without Congressional Approval
30-Day Extension Allowed Only for Safe Withdrawal of US Forces
The legal deadline for President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, which began on Feb. 28, is three days away. Even so, there are no signs the administration is moving to wrap up the conflict.
After May 2, the US government would in principle be acting unlawfully if it continued the war without congressional approval. Under the War Powers Resolution, enacted in 1973 during the Vietnam War, military operations cannot continue for more than 60 days without Congress’s consent.
The deadline can be extended once for up to 30 days if the president sends Congress written certification that more time is needed to ensure the safe withdrawal of US forces. No such action has been taken.
Republicans have maintained tacit support for the Iran war. Not a single public hearing has been held. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials have only given lawmakers several closed-door briefings.
Democratic resolutions aimed at limiting the president’s authority in the conflict were all rejected after Republicans opposed them.
Most Republican senators believe Trump made the right decision, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, has gone further, calling on the administration to resume airstrikes on Iran.
There is ample precedent for US presidents continuing military action without congressional approval. In 1999, former President Bill Clinton argued that Congress had given implicit consent for the Kosovo bombing campaign by passing related funding, allowing him to sidestep the War Powers Resolution.
In 2011, former President Barack Obama took part in NATO’s bombing campaign in Libya for more than 60 days. He argued that the operation did not constitute hostilities under the War Powers Resolution because it did not involve US ground troops.
The Trump administration is reviewing Iran’s proposal from last weekend to delay nuclear talks and keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Trump, however, was negative on the proposal to postpone the nuclear negotiations, Reuters and other outlets reported.
Washington — Lee Sang-eun, Korea Economic Daily correspondent selee@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
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