Barack Obama Violated the War Powers Act, Not Trump

PJ Media ^ | January 4, 2020 | Matt Margolis

[jazusamo]

In the wake of the strike ordered by President Trump that killed General Qasem Soleimani, many on the left have rushed to criticize Trump for retaliating against the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. 2020 Democrats, in particular, piled on Trump with condemnations. "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," said Biden. Cory Booker, who apparently is still in the race, claimed, "We have a president who has failed to show any larger strategic plan." Elizabeth Warren acknowledged that Soleimani was an evil terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, but also said, "this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict." Bernie Sanders naturally agreed, "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars." Blah, blah, blah.

Democrat leaders in Congress also complained about the strike and the lack of congressional authorization.

~snip~

...some are accusing Trump of violating the War Powers Act—for a retaliatory action well within his constitutional authority—which means they'll probably try to impeach him over it, too.

Except that would once again demonstrate the hypocrisy of the Democrats. For example, Adam Schiff was fully behind Obama's illegal war with Libya. As National Review's Andrew McCarthy noted on Twitter, Adam Schiff "supported President Obama’s war on Libya, which was unauthorized by Congress, unprovoked by any attack or threatened attack on the US, and unwanted by Americans."

Despite the fact that Obama's war in Libya wasn't in response to any attack or threat, Obama actually argued the War Powers Act didn't apply because “U.S. operations do not involve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve U.S. ground troops.”

[laweeks]

Barack Obama Violated the War Powers Act, Not Trump

Valerie Jarrett was our president, not this idiot. SHE violated the War Powers Act. Obambi was probably told to shut up and leave the room.

[jazusamo]

I have little doubt that you’re right on.

[immadashell]

…Ackerman wrote. "The legal machinations Mr. Obama has used to justify war without Congressional consent set a troubling precedent that could allow future administrations to wage war at their convenience — free of legislative checks and balances."

Bammy’s fault.

[Mase]

Bookmark

[fruser1]

Technically, the Libya bit was based on the old Hague treaty, which has been modified over the years. Since congress approved the treaty, even a prior congress, the exec can act on it.

[Brian Griffin]

Obama bumped off bad guys sometimes.

Trump bumped off bad guys of major significance.

Nancy and Chuck were not informed in advance in Trump’s cases. Democrats are throwing tantrums.

[SunkenCiv]

• 2020 -- The Most Pivotal Year In Our History
• In Politics, Christians must be clear on both what we're for and what we're against

[Redwood71]

The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief for the purposes of defense fall under the PUBLIC LAW 107–40—SEPT. 18, 2001.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens; and Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad; and Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave acts of violence; and Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.

Obama was right, Bush was right, and Trump is right. Please don’t let half wit mouthpieces or lying news organizations muddy the truth.

rwood

[Brian Griffin]

The deceased Iranian wasn’t in Baghdad on a vacation. He was there to personally ensure a hostile action against the US got done.

[jazusamo]

MAGA!

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[Repeal 16-17]

Don’t you know only Republican Presidents can violate the War Powers Act? Der Schlckmeister and the Liberal Messiah were immune.

[SERKIT]

The movies about Red Adair, oil field firefighter, show how a stick of dynamite snuffs out an oil well fire. A stick of dynamite in a Middle East country might perform a similar effect - destroy the tinderbox!

[philetus]

“We have a president who has failed to show any larger strategic plan.”
Mind readers?

[Robert357]

Bump for reference.

[antidemoncrat]

Obama did a lot of impeachable things but the Republicans controlling the House knew that would destroy the Republic if they impeached him. The Democrats know that also but destroying the Republic is exactly what they want.

[Erik Latranyi]

Trump calling Kim “Little Rocket Man” was going to start a war.

Trump’s cruise missile strikes on Syria were going to start a war.

*YAWN*

Wake me when the communists stop siding with our enemies s

[fluorescence]

They didn’t know the air strike was coming because nobody told them about it, now they think there’s no plan because nobody has told them what it is.

[philetus]

Same thought I had.

[Arones]

Excellent article.