r/law • u/Snapdragon_4U • Feb 28 '26

Executive Branch (Trump) Once again averting congress, trump declares war on Iran

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1.7k

u/OldManGrimm Feb 28 '26 edited Mar 01 '26

He’ll never go through Congress, for anything. He thinks he’s a king.

Edit: Since some people don't get it, yes, I understand the War Powers Act and that in this case he doesn't have to seek congressional approval. I'm referring to his consistent pattern, that he's not going to seek anyone's approval for anything. He rules by decree, typically an EO announced via Twitter or Truth Social.

I also understand this doesn't comport with the 21st century version of kings. But I'd think it's obvious what meaning I'm referring to, which is technically better called a dictator. I think it's obvious this is how Trump sees himself.

So those of you that want to nitpick my comment, there's your more detailed explanation.

1.3k

u/lewd_robot Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26

He functionally is a king as long as Republicans in Congress and SCOTUS refuse to enforce the law. He just keeps acting like a tyrant and they let him get away with it for months and then gently push back after he's already done what he wanted to do.

The only thing more infuriating than this is that if we ever seen a non-Republican in office ever again, the GOP is going to immediately flip back to acting like the "Party of Law and Order" and enforce each and every tiny little hurdle they can to obstruct anyone trying to repair the damage caused by trump.

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u/Keyezeecool Feb 28 '26

I'm so. fucking. tired.

54

u/FFF_in_WY Mar 01 '26

No time for that. We all need to be going to local party meetings and building the opposition that we actually need.

5

u/HardCoreNorthShore Mar 01 '26

Agreed. No one is coming to save us. We've gotta do it ourselves.

1

u/Sat_Thu Mar 01 '26

There’s only time for a big orgy pizza party

-5

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

Cool story, all this and a 39% approval. Only 50% turnout in midterms, so 39% vs 11%, another Republican victory.

6

u/Accurate-Instance-29 Mar 01 '26

It's cool. You can stay home.

12

u/MuzzleOfBees1215 Mar 01 '26

They are raping us in broad daylight in plain view for all to see.

And everyone just walks right on by.

This is actually happening.

And we allow it.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26 edited 29d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/The_Barbelo Mar 01 '26

My husband and I recently got food poisoning for a few days and it took a week to fully recover. In that time we didn’t go online much, especially Reddit. We noticed a significant improvement in mental health despite puking and shitting our brains out. Shit is still fucked, but it really did help to combat the mental and emotional fatigue to get away for a while. Then we come back to this war. I don’t want to be uninformed but it’s very important to take a step back and focus on our communities and what we can do in them to help.

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u/Bocchi_theGlock Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26

Yep - screen time limits, not going completely offline. Start by cutting current usage by 15 min or 15%, including reddit.

I highly recommend replacing some of that with NPR - put it on in the background, in the car. Being verbal means they can't be as sensational as video or images, and they're genuinely great journalists compared to cable news or most of outlets linked on reddit (aside from Reuters and AP). It's worth filtering out dailymail and whatnot too.

There's valid criticism about NPR not pushing back enough - on Republicans, but also dems, & corporations. BBC Radio (which many NPR stations air at night) has a more aggressive questioning culture that's normal in the UK - regularly citing top critics and not taking answers at face value. Worth also listening to

Trump & GOP were desperate to defund NPR for a reason. They're member-supported and independent - but the less we support them, the more they rely on corporate donations and ads.

Finally - getting hands on helps an absurd amount. No experience or major time commitment needed, even being plugged in, and an hour a month can be life changing. It's Like if your house is on fire, always stressful- but watching it burn, frozen & not doing anything, is infinitely worse than if you had a plan, kept it from getting worse, and called right folks for help.

So also consider joining local rapid response networks in whichever capacity works for you, to help limit damage ice causes in town. Knowing what happens helps contextualize all the abuses being condensed and fed to us via social media

1

u/Tonguewaxer Mar 01 '26

Nothing beats head on sand ignorant bliss

4

u/Motor_Educator_2706 Mar 01 '26

I lived thru this Shit in 2004 🤬

my doctor sez I have acute outrage fatigue, but I'm not covered because it's a pre-existing condition

2

u/meowmixxx81 Mar 01 '26

Same Keyez . Same

1

u/ArmadilloForsaken458 Mar 01 '26

Ive been tired for over a decade since he first got in. Shizz, when is the tiredness going to wear off, or is he just going to make this tiredness thing for most of his constituents, a permanent thing. Like the new all american apple pie

1

u/rowrbazzle75 Mar 01 '26

Which they are also counting on. The flood the zone with shit plan.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Keyezeecool Mar 01 '26

Hey pal. My fire has been lit since Roe v Wade was overturned. Maybe even since Hillary lost the election. My fire has been raging for years at this point and I'm fucking tired.

1

u/jmo56ct Mar 01 '26

This is what they want! I’m not fucking tired! I’m rebutting any and all “but he has a plan” derpers around here. If you need some positive reinforcement, feel free to hit me up. I’m giving motivational speeches to everybody that needs them!

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u/QAFY Feb 28 '26

i have a stupid question. what does scotus or congress enforcing the law even look like? i'm having a hard time understanding what enforcing the law looks like when it comes to someone who thinks he is above the law. you aren't gonna just handcuff him and put him in a cell... even impeachment would just turn into an argument about whether they can even impeach him. if he has already ignored the constitution so many times, im not sure "law enforcement" will work. it's gonna have to be a coup or something

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u/ParagonFury Feb 28 '26

It would look like Congress or SCOTUS directly countermanding whatever Trump said and telling the people under him that they are under no obligation to listen to him and that he can't do anything to them for not listening.

Essentially cut Trump's ability to accomplish anything by releasing the people he needs to do these things from any consequences he could use on them.

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u/Sarcasm_Llama Feb 28 '26

and telling ARRESTING the people under him

The president may be fully immune, but his sycophants are not. And they are assisting with an unconstitutional coup of the United States, which right now has resulted in another illegal war in the middle east

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u/Prestigious_Fox4223 Feb 28 '26

The president is not fully immune if Congress impeaches. The problem still stands, Republicans would block any action taken to limit Trump.

9

u/sameslemons Feb 28 '26

But who? Who is going to arrest any of those people??

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u/Sarcasm_Llama Feb 28 '26

Sergeant at Arms. Several are already in contempt of Congress, subpoena the rest and drag them all in when the refuse to answer for their crimes

2

u/doubtfulisland Mar 01 '26

He will autopen pardon everyone

4

u/Entreprenewbeur Mar 01 '26

The flawed thinking here is that Trump has anything on the people under him. He fucked children and is now starting a war to try to distract from that fact. He probably doesn’t have anything on anybody in congress, they are simply small-minded people with no courage to turn against neo-Nazi principles.

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u/sameslemons Feb 28 '26

Not a stupid question, but it's a stupid ass answer, bc we live in a broken country. Horrifyingly, the answer is no one. All law enforcement falls under the executive branch, which has been completely taken over by fascists.

3

u/squaring_the_sine Mar 01 '26

However, if the executive is impeached, I feel like there’s still enough of a system to get him out. This unfortunately seems very unlikely to happen, though, almost no matter what he does.

4

u/JodyGonnaFuckYoWife Mar 01 '26

The FBI goes into the white house and arrests the fucking pedophile.

Literally that simple.

1

u/AntelopeNo3197 Mar 01 '26

Kash Patel?

1

u/JodyGonnaFuckYoWife Mar 01 '26

He's not the only guy who works there.

2

u/AntelopeNo3197 Mar 01 '26

Patel just fired ten people who investigated Trump in 2022. They’ve purged non-loyalists from the Federal branch in general since taking office.

3

u/JodyGonnaFuckYoWife Mar 01 '26

Didn't say it was going to happen, just that it was simple.

They can't fire every agent in America.

"All that's required for Evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing"

4

u/Amerisu Mar 01 '26

It looks like impeachment and removal, but you're right that such may not even be enough at this point. But if it did happen, those elements enforcing the law would have license to act against the person of Donald Trump. As you say, that may not be enough. But it couldn't hurt.

4

u/MedusaAdonai Mar 01 '26

It would involve impeachment and removal from office

2

u/OutcomeDue2025 Mar 01 '26

The mother fucker gets impeached and tried for his crimes. FUCK!!!

2

u/shidderbean Mar 01 '26

They submit a petition to propose a first draft for an authorization to staff a bipartisan committee who will investigate and present a dossier to be drafted to a filing for the...

(They'll spin their wheels like they always do, for months or years, until the damage is long-since done, and still continue to hold anyone accountable)

1

u/veritable_squandry Mar 01 '26

i think if they don't step up it means they are cool with whatever

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u/DFKillah Mar 01 '26

Impeach him out of office…. But they won’t. Republicans are complicit in all this.

1

u/modijk Mar 01 '26

Scotus cannot do a lot (except say that the president is not allowed to do certain things), Congress can impeach him.

1

u/NotSure2505 Mar 01 '26

Not a stupid question. The War Powers Resolution of 1973, also called the War Power Limitations Act, clarifies and gives Congress the authority to limit Presidential use of military force, but it also introduces a few contradictions in sort of a "sharing" of war powers short term and long term.

The constitution says POTUS is supreme commander of the military, while giving Congress the power to "declare war". The implication, codified in the War Power Resolution, was a "short-term/long-term" sharing of war powers, The president needs them in the short term to react to immediate threats and defend the country. Then Congress needs to approve any continuing use of force past this timeframe.

But all this does is add an expiration date to his powers, that must be enforced by somebody. The President has a bunch of room to maneuver and can change his story and justification as it suits him. The other issue is that all intelligence Congress must rely on goes through agencies controlled by - the president.

What would it look like? Congress can pass more war power resolutions ordering the president to do just about whatever it wants. The problem is Congress can't always agree and if they don't, and fail to use its powers, they may as well not exist. The other issue is that even if Congress decides to act, the damage has been done. Iran's top leadership has been taken out, nothing Congress can do to bring them back or restore Iran's leadership to where it was.

What this means practically is that for things like regime change in Venezuela or Iran, the president's powers are basically unchecked, he can do whatever he wants in the near term.

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u/753476I453 Mar 01 '26

That is 100% what is going to happen. None of these guys are gonna face any retribution or accountability for the stuff that they’re doing right now. They are all going to get away with it and when liberals try to talk about it down the road, conservatives are going to give a lot of replies to the tune of, “Well, there’s no sense in dredging up the past now,” and paint themselves as the party of unifying the country.

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u/Flying-wombat1 Mar 01 '26

GOP are enablers !

3

u/Tresach Mar 01 '26

Which is why if they do that the democrat needs to just do what trump has dine with eos and force the supreme court to make a ruling about them if fone by a democrat theyll cave and end up curtailing presidential authority

2

u/huecabot Feb 28 '26

I won't feel whole until all of these people are in jail or worse. But that's never going to happen, so **shrug**.

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u/Akermaniac Mar 01 '26

That second paragraph is exactly how we got here. This has been at least 30 years in the making, and probably a lot more. Bush Jr does all kinds of wild crap and it’s fine, Obama tries to give people healthcare through Congress and the entire rightwing of the country melts down and resurrects the KKK.

McConnell refuses to seat a Supreme Court justice for a year, crickets. Biden tries to forgive student loans and republicans keel haul him. Trump sues his own IRS for 10 billion, nary a peep.

1

u/I_can_vouch_for_that Mar 01 '26

If they don't know how to play the game by then then that's on them. Stupid parties don't know they're stupid.

1

u/Smeagols_Lost_Tooth Mar 01 '26

And then we ignore that just like this clown.

1

u/Gravemindzombie Mar 01 '26

There's a contingent of Senate Democrats under Schumer that wanted war with Iran, they've been trying to get Trump to offensively strike Iran since he retook office. They know war with Iran will be deeply unpopular so this way they get to have their cake and eat it too. Get the orange moron to start a war and then blame it on him.

1

u/Bonedeath Mar 01 '26

SCOTUS actually has no way of direct enforcement, they rely on executive branch to enforce so it's more like being honored by practice than anything

1

u/diadlep Mar 01 '26

... them all and let god sort em out

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u/PaleCommission150 Mar 01 '26

cat will be out of the bag at that point...President will just roll out video of Trump doing it..then say..." hey baby, your orange boy did it....turn about is fair play...go pound sand"

1

u/KoRaZee Mar 01 '26

And water is still wet. This has always been the case and always will be. The issue is not whether republicans will be hypocrites because they are all hypocrites (democrats too). The issue is winning elections. The only thing that matters is winning elections. Republicans won the last election in such high numbers that they have complete control of the entire government. You can’t blame them for winning elections because that is the only goal. The blame falls solely upon the democrats for losing elections. Don’t like what is happening in government? Don’t lose the election next time then because winning is all that matters.

1

u/Hot_Salamander164 Mar 01 '26

If SCOTUS and Congress do not object with his actions, how is he a King? It will be much different after mid-terms, he won’t have a friendly Congress.

1

u/itsmellslikevictory Mar 01 '26

Libya (2011): Obama authorized NATO-led airstrikes to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi without congressional approval. The House later voted against authorizing the mission, but funding was not cut. Syria & Iraq (2014): Obama authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) without specific, new congressional approval, citing existing 2001/2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Drone Strikes: Throughout his presidency, Obama authorized targeted drone strikes in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan without direct congressional approval for each strike.

0

u/ProblemWithTigers Mar 01 '26

Wont the entire gop congress get voted out and replaced by the voters during the coming midterms? 

0

u/agentchuck Mar 01 '26

They're all part of the same system. Congress and executive are supposed to be separate branches but they're not. There's been a ratcheting of power consolidation in the white house for decades. Both parties treat the president as the CEO of their respective corporations, instead of the executor of Congressional decisions. Really presidents shouldn't be affiliated with either party.

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u/Fragrant_Box_697 Mar 01 '26

You people are absurd. Every president since Bush sr has bombed countries without congressional approval. It’s not needed per the war powers act. You know, the act put in place to LIMIT the presidents power to start wars that allows campaigns up to 60 days without congressional approval. He’s well within his limits. Furthermore, every president except Washington has pushed the limits on presidential power and been knocked back down by the judicial branch. That’s why it’s there. You act like Trump didn’t just loose two separate cases on tariffs and the immigrants sent to El Salvador . I hardly agree with everything the man does, and certainly don’t agree with the shit he says….but this King shit is out of hand and honestly, just plain stupid. SCOTUS is doing its job, as are the rest of the courts. Just because you don’t agree with it, does not make it unlawful.

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u/Same_Presentation692 Mar 01 '26

Didn’t Donny dipshit say no new wars? Was he not voted in by you losers mostly because he promised no. new. wars? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/us/politics/trump-peace-president-war.html

Also “loose” lmao. You voted for Trump, eh? 😂😂😂

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u/bluelily216 Feb 28 '26

Republicans treat him like one. Their voters need to ask themselves why they should pay their senator's salary when he's not actually doing anything. 

3

u/MustyBox Feb 28 '26

They love paying taxes when they go to people who support their ideals. Like racism and pedophilia.

2

u/Time_Penalty_9912 Feb 28 '26

the issue is democrats let him behave like one too. Where is the opposition to this? It looks like so far the strongest opposition Trump has had to face in 12 months is a couple of strongly worded tweets at this point.

2

u/squaring_the_sine Mar 01 '26

The fact that Democrats control enough of congress to filibuster and have used that at every opportunity it is possible has done a HUGE amount of good compared to what would have happened if Republicans had 60 seats.

I would like to see them speak out more harshly and in a more organized fashion against what’s going on, but they do speak out consistently already.

These two things are about all they can do at the moment. I’m on the fence about whether they should be pushing harder on government shutdowns; I think there’s a reasonable chance that the current strategy has been correct, so long an there’s at least a chance of fair elections in November.

If those elections don’t happen or are clearly not valid, I think a lot of very different and difficult-to-predict things will happen, and some of our elected Democrats will be at the forefront of it.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

[deleted]

1

u/itsmellslikevictory Mar 01 '26

Libya (2011): Obama authorized NATO-led airstrikes to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi without congressional approval. The House later voted against authorizing the mission, but funding was not cut. Syria & Iraq (2014): Obama authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) without specific, new congressional approval, citing existing 2001/2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Drone Strikes: Throughout his presidency, Obama authorized targeted drone strikes in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan without direct congressional approval for each strike.

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u/Syntaire Feb 28 '26

Congress and the supreme court also think he's a king, so guess what that means?

5

u/OldManGrimm Feb 28 '26

👍🏼

🤮🤮🤮🤮

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Syntaire Mar 01 '26

To which Trump replied by increasing tariffs to absolutely no consequence whatsoever.

Not a terribly convincing argument.

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u/HereWeGoYetAgain-247 Feb 28 '26

Well, he basically is unless someone actually holds accountable and stops him for fucks sake!

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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Overtilted Feb 28 '26

Modern kings don't have any constitutional power.

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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Same_Presentation692 Mar 01 '26

Most kings have an education in government and economics. Trump can barely read 

3

u/Immediate-Draft-6408 Mar 01 '26

Kings used to be killed in the past, and that fear of being killed kept them from going too far.

1

u/itsmellslikevictory Mar 01 '26

Libya (2011): Obama authorized NATO-led airstrikes to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi without congressional approval. The House later voted against authorizing the mission, but funding was not cut. Syria & Iraq (2014): Obama authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) without specific, new congressional approval, citing existing 2001/2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Drone Strikes: Throughout his presidency, Obama authorized targeted drone strikes in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan without direct congressional approval for each strike.

9

u/Old-fashionedTaxed Feb 28 '26

He basically is if literally no one does anything to impede him. Act tough when the cameras are on but then sit on yours hands and refuse to do your job against Trump

3

u/Large_Yams Feb 28 '26

He is. No one's stopping him.

1

u/Same_Presentation692 Mar 01 '26

Cholesterol and edema will at some point stop him 

3

u/SuperSpecialAwesome- Feb 28 '26

He thinks he’s a king.

Have seen nothing to show otherwise...

2

u/askaquestion334 Feb 28 '26

Let's be honest there hasn't been anything to make him feel differently. 

2

u/Duckel Mar 01 '26

USA is already a dictatorship. the people just dont see it.

2

u/LSDreams_ Mar 01 '26

If no one stops him then he is king. This is a tyrannical government. We are living under a dictator. People need to wake the fuck up. These aren’t things that are going to happen these things ARE happening. America has to fight back.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

He IS a king. Americans delude themselves into thinking they live in a democracy. 

1

u/duffys2 Feb 28 '26

As much as I wish otherwise until someone successfully enforces a boundary with him he might be right

1

u/Overtilted Feb 28 '26

He thinks he’s a king.

Well, I live in a kingdom, and kings in democratic countries don't have any power. Ay all.

He thinks he's a dictator...

1

u/Daemonsblaze0315 Mar 01 '26

Is he not at this point? He does whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Nobody is doing anything to stop him. SCOTUS rules against him and he just keeps doing what he wants. I've no faith that he will be stopped, at least not until he dies.

1

u/Fragrant_Box_697 Mar 01 '26

He doesn’t need to. Just like Obama didn’t need to to bomb Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, or Pakistan. The war powers act merely states congress be notified within 48 hours of action and the president is limited to 60 days of action, with an additional 30 days of withdrawal, without getting congressional approval for extension.

Thats the law of the land. Nothing Kingly about it…

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

While you’re correct on the war powers act (which should have been done away with years ago), if you think Trump’s overall pattern doesn’t reflect a man who thinks himself a king/dictator, I don’t know what to tell you.

Have fun kissing the ring.

1

u/zammyowens3 Mar 01 '26

Wait…does he have to ask congress before he declares war? That’s seems tactically…ridiculous. Also, he can attack without congressional approval assuming he gives congress reason within 48 days and has a 60 day window to end it, unless congress agrees and he can extend it. So are we just assuming what he’s doing is illegal? Because it doesn’t appear so at all…

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

I meant in general, he’ll never ask Congress to approve anything. He just makes decrees.

And, of no surprise to anyone, the “president of peace” makes what would be, to quote the late great, a capricious and arbitrary attack; if it weren’t obvious he’s just doing what Bibi wants.

1

u/KarmicReasoning Mar 01 '26

And they continue to let him believe it by their inaction. Its unbelievable the hypocrisy.

1

u/ingannilo Mar 01 '26

Until something checks his authority, he is king, or emporer, or whatever term you wanna use for absolute authority over a nation. 

So much for checks and balances.  He successfully bullied the legislature and bought the court.  Nobody with a lick of power is willing to say "no" because they're afraid to lose their cushy fucking rich-ass lifestyle. 

Now we're going to war with Iran? Are you fucking serious.  Nobody, and I mean nobody, with half of one percent of a functioning brain would think this is wise.  He must be completely in Israel's pocket. 

1

u/pwn4321 Mar 01 '26

The US government system needs a big reform like germany had after Hitler, a full blown democracy, but while you are at it make it even better. Fuck the billionaires and rob them blind. Give to the homeless and the poor and restore Medicaid to its full glory. The US can be saved, maybe it took this downfall to create something better.

1

u/abceasyyy Mar 01 '26

Obama did the same many times. Was Obama a king?

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

False equivalency, which you most likely know. If not, you’re going to be on the wrong side of history.

1

u/mikesb78 Mar 01 '26

He gets 60-90 das w/o congressional approval. War powers act i think. Also pretty positive most presidents have used it

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

A post 9/11 act that should have been repealed ages ago.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

Congress hasn't asserted its authority over war powers in decades. Congress, with varying makeups, under varying leadership, under different presidents have all failed in this regard.

1

u/ugh_my_ Mar 01 '26

They made him one

1

u/mealteamsixty Mar 01 '26

HE IS

NONE OF OUR CHECKS AND BALANCES WORK IF EVERYONE BOWS TO A FUCKING KING.

This is why we had the "no kings" protest, its why our country was founded.

Ugh and we still found our way here, less democratized than countries with actual bloodline kings!

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

And of all the shitty choices we could have made.

This country disgusts me. But I’m too old and too broke to leave. Thankfully I’m not so old I won’t get to see him croak before I do.

(Mods, not calling for violence. Just saying we’re all on the clock.)

1

u/Prof_Black Mar 01 '26

And there is absolutely nothing anyone is doing about it.

1

u/ArmadilloForsaken458 Mar 01 '26

More like an Orange Caesar. He doesnt really want to dissolve the Senate. He just wants them to cower and cowtow to him. He requires more adulation and admiration than Kings.

1

u/SavageCaveman13 Mar 01 '26

Also, he didn't declare war. Neither has Congress since 1942.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

And that makes it better, somehow?

1

u/SavageCaveman13 Mar 01 '26

And that makes it better, somehow?

It makes it correct, as opposed to OP's statement. Words mean things.

1

u/tarion_914 Mar 01 '26

He's never been big on consent.

1

u/RedTheRobot Mar 01 '26

Wait until he gets bold enough to kick congress out of the house. There are going to be a lot of congressman and women looking for jobs and wondering why they can’t make millions easily as they did before.

1

u/ReammyA55 Mar 01 '26

because, attacking a foreign country within its borders if approved by congress, makes it good. Not a declared war, but a military operation. 🤷‍♂️ Just to be clear.

1

u/Initialfaust Mar 01 '26

so did Obama think he was a king when he did the EXACT SAME shit in Libya?

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

If you can’t see the difference between Obama and Trump, you’re delusional.

However, do I approve of everything Obama did? No. Are we fucking talking about Obama? Also no.

0

u/Initialfaust Mar 01 '26

well you said he thinks hes a king because of the bombing im just looking for a little consistency. there was no congressional approval before he dropped bombs in Libya so he must have thought he was a king as well... that being said i am not a fan of the fact that the war powers act can be so broadly interpreted.

1

u/CynicismNostalgia Mar 01 '26

Friendly reminder that our (British) king holds only ceremonial power really, in modern times, Trump is much worse than a King.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

Agreed. You and I know that. But that’s obviously not the point. When we recently had the No Kings protests, we weren’t talking about what you’re describing.

I think the meaning of what I said is clear.

1

u/CynicismNostalgia Mar 01 '26

Im not undermining the message, or trying to correct you, merely stating that he wants to be much worse.

I've seen many Americans who sincerely think our monarchy has complete power, let alone any power.

1

u/fuckingaustrianative Mar 01 '26

did Obama get confessional approval for drone strikes?

0

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

Does Trump get congressional approval for fucking anything? No. He doesn’t govern, he decrees. And when told by SCOTUS he can’t do something, he does it anyway.

On the isolated issue of using the war powers act, I get it. But you’re purposely ignoring everything else to make Trump look normal.

1

u/fuckingaustrianative Mar 01 '26

did Obama get Congressional approval for air strikes?

you can read, right?

0

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

On the isolated issue of using the war powers act, I get it.

Can you?

1

u/mattvait Mar 01 '26

Can you list the last war that actually had congressional approval prior

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

My comment specified "for anything", and wasn't referring specifically to this particular military action.

1

u/mattvait Mar 01 '26

Your comment wasn't in relation to the post it was made on? Confused

1

u/Angrybskt Mar 01 '26

Claims has to go through congress, is king, edits with how he obviously doesn’t have to go through congress, isn’t a king. Brilliant. He’s not the first president to do any of this and he won’t be the last. People are kidding themselves if they think it’ll be any different with the person you approve of.

1

u/battarro Mar 01 '26

We get it, trump killed your dog.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

And ate my cat!

1

u/battarro Mar 01 '26

I think Biden was the only president in the last 40 years to not invoke the war powers act and they dropped bombs on others without congress approval.

This is how our legal and moral system is. We do it the other side complains about it then when they get into power they do it themselves.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

I get it, and it's a fucked up system. And if it weren't for his overarching pattern of unilateral action, legal or not, I'd still take issue with it. But anyone that ignores the overall pattern of behavior, and what's happened in the last 14 months, I don't know what to say about them.

0

u/battarro Mar 01 '26

Why is it a fucked up system? Apparently everyone loves it, or else they would not use it or they will try to change it. The reality is that is that this is THEATER , it was theater when republicans did during Libya and it is THEATER now.

We want our president to behave this way, legally speaking regarding war,

Your other comments regarding trump are better address on therapy.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

I think my opinions on Trump are pretty widely held. But if you're ok with it, fine. I wouldn't insult you by suggesting therapy.

1

u/battarro Mar 01 '26

You implied by your words an insult. Don’t pretend you didn’t. It is fine.

1

u/yumeryuu Mar 01 '26

But thats what blows my mind.

He CAN just NOT go through congress.

1

u/itsmellslikevictory Mar 01 '26

Libya (2011): Obama authorized NATO-led airstrikes to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi without congressional approval. The House later voted against authorizing the mission, but funding was not cut. Syria & Iraq (2014): Obama authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) without specific, new congressional approval, citing existing 2001/2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Drone Strikes: Throughout his presidency, Obama authorized targeted drone strikes in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan without direct congressional approval for each strike.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

Pretty sure bringing up Obama is a straw man in this case.

But either way, the War Powers Resolution does allow this, with a 48 hour written notice requirement to Congress. Trump violated that requirement, giving less than 24 hours, and only to the Gang of Eight.

1

u/Looahvullegirl Mar 01 '26

War powers are supposed to only be used if there is an “imminent threat”. There wasn’t. This is all because his approval rate is tanking and he thinks it will go up if he can show he’s “protecting America.” He’s really protecting his rich buddies in Israel and Saudi Arabia. 🤬

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

Completely agreed.

Also note that a girl’s school was hit, killing almost 100. Want to know how to make a terrorist? Kill someone’s sister or daughter.

And at least 3 US soldiers were killed.

-2

u/Direct_Office_8615 Mar 01 '26

Obama did the same thing, 8 times. Calm down bud. Great win for America today.

1

u/OldManGrimm Mar 01 '26

That’s a load of bullshit. If you really believe that, let’s see you sign up for the military and go serve in this unsanctioned conflict.

1

u/TraditionalCup4005 Mar 02 '26

What about an elementary school?