Summary:
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting a renewed debate in Congress over presidential war powers and the need for formal authorization.

Full Article:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump is reportedly reviewing plans to launch targeted military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordow site, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. The decision, which is expected within the next two weeks, has sparked urgent debate in Congress over the constitutional limits of presidential war powers.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are raising concerns about the legality and potential consequences of unilateral military action. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is leading an effort to introduce legislation requiring the president to obtain congressional approval before taking offensive military action against Iran. “No president should be able to unilaterally drag the United States into another war in the Middle East,” Kaine said.

While Article II of the U.S. Constitution grants the president authority as commander-in-chief, Congress holds the sole power to declare war under Article I. In recent decades, however, presidents from both parties have frequently ordered limited strikes without formal congressional authorization, often citing imminent threats or past Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs).

The 1973 War Powers Resolution was intended to limit this authority by requiring presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military forces and to withdraw them within 60 to 90 days unless Congress grants approval. Nonetheless, the resolution has often been sidestepped, and its enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump is “not seeking war” but emphasized that the administration is prepared to act “decisively” if national security interests are at risk. She added that while diplomacy remains the preferred route, “all options are on the table.”

As regional conflicts grow more complex—especially with the ongoing Israel-Iran tensions—the president’s decision could have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy, military engagement, and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

Congress is expected to take up the war powers issue in the coming days, as lawmakers from both parties call for increased transparency and accountability.

Source(s):

• MSN News
• Washington Post
• Associated Press