[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The second question should be what authority did he have to override the Constitution and the War Powers Act?"

Unfortunately, I don't think he has overridden the warpowers act. It provides that the President only has to inform Congress within 48 hours of committing our armed forces to a military action. I think he's done that. However, you're right, he has overridden the Constitution. He needs to go to Congress to get authorization for this operation, per Article 1 Section 8.

[TigersEye]

Oh, he has?

0bangbang brought a handful of partisan hacks to the WH for 90 minutes and then announced his "plan," such as it is, before any of them said a word about it. That is not Congressional participation.

From the War Powers Act of 1973

The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.

Those are conditions that must be met before taking action. The War Powers Act stipulates that as well.

The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances,...