(Image source from: fakty.interia.pl)
The President Donald Trump and the US Congress are highly tensed over the issue of impeachment and is now rising regarding the war powers as the there has been threat of war between the United States and Iran.
After the war has been backed down by both Tehran and the President Donald Trump, it has been revealed that Iran has deliberately avoided killing US personnel and it has been recognized by Trump as he avoided punitive retaliation for Iran’s ineffectual missile attacks.
The US lawmakers and the White House is figuring it out over who has the authority in declaring a war.
It has been said by the US War Powers Act that the US Armed Forces can be sent into action by the President only by declaration of war by Congress, “statutory authorization,” or in case of “a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.”
According to the Act, the Congress must be notified by the President withing 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and prohibits the armed forces from remaining exceeding 60 days, with a withdrawal period of 30-days, without the authorization of Congress regarding the usage of military force (AUMF) or declaring a war by the United States.
President Trump has played fast and loose with the act as he has dispatched the troops at his will suggesting a tweet that lacks concern is sufficient notice of communication to Congress. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is aiming to reassert its powers as it is distrustful of the motive and judgement of President Trump.
The assassination of a serving general of a sovereign foreign country Qassem Soleimani lead to assertions being made that The President lacked the authority to order the strike. The Trump’s supporters are arguing that Gen.Soleimani was a terrorist and a war criminal and therefore the President has the right of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists Law which has been initiated on September 18, 2001, after the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.
The Democrat lawmakers are not convinced over the assassination of Soleimani. A resolution is said to be taken on Thursday by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin who is a former CIA analyst and senior Defense Department official.
The Senators, Utah’s Mike Lee and Kentucky’s Rand Paul have said that they would support the Democrats’ bid to rein in the war powers of the President even though their votes bring no change as the majority of 53-47 pertains that the GOP has in the Senate, it has been the first major crack among the Senate republicans and has enabled Trump to remain in the office despite lack of popular vote.
By Shrithika Kushangi
