Rubio says War Powers Act '100 percent unconstitutional'
Source: The Hill
05/05/26 6:17 PM ET
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday argued the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, adding that the Trump administration is only complying with elements of it to maintain good relations with Congress. The War Powers Act is unconstitutional, 100 percent, Rubio told reporters during a White House briefing, claiming that his position has been shared by every single president that has occupied the Oval Office since the law passed in 1973.
Also known as the War Powers Resolution, the federal law requires the sitting president to seek congressional authorization for foreign conflicts. Meant to function as a check on the commander in chiefs ability to begin or escalate hostilities, the law mandates the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops in response to an imminent threat, and requires American forces be withdrawn from any conflict within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes the action.
President Trump ordered a start to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran on Feb. 28 but did not formally notify Congress until March 2. As the conflict passed its 60-day mark on Friday, Trump was asked whether he would seek approval from lawmakers. He replied that its never been sought before and that the law was totally unconstitutional.
The administration last week argued in a letter to Congress that the clock on the War Powers Act stopped when Trump declared a 14-day ceasefire with Iran on April 7, which he has since extended indefinitely. On Tuesday, Rubio said gestures of compliance with the law did not mean officials acknowledge the law as constitutional.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5864920-rubio-argues-war-powers-unconstitutional/
MayReasonRule
(4,137 posts)
no_hypocrisy
(55,245 posts)No, you're wrong. The War Powers Act is constitutional.
What it isn't is applicable at this moment.
Because TWPA only applies when the United States has been attacked and we're defending ourselves.
Your boss jumped the gun.
bucolic_frolic
(55,662 posts)dem4decades
(14,297 posts)MayReasonRule
(4,137 posts)


oasis
(53,876 posts)bet shes not quite that jovial when hubby, Donald produces the real deal at bedtime.
MayReasonRule
(4,137 posts)
Javaman
(65,964 posts)AZLD4Candidate
(6,885 posts)War Powers Act bends this a little bit, but still, need a congressional declaration of war.
SamuelAdams
(139 posts)This administration seems to think not or that it is meaningless since they seem to claim the president has unlimited authority to start and fight wars.
FakeNoose
(42,167 posts)Probably not ...
melm00se
(5,169 posts)one, there has been an argument over the constitutionality of WPA.
Neither side is willing to take the case to the courts as a loss would drastically alter the balance of power when it comes to the use of the military.
Baitball Blogger
(52,645 posts)Without the War Powers Act a reckless, narcissistic and dementia riddled president could commit this country into a war without Congress' approval. In case you aren't seeing the big picture, it means that young men and women could be deployed to the front line and used for cannon fodder. You know, like in Russia.
BumRushDaShow
(171,650 posts)I think they dub that "The Meat Grinder".
Akakoji
(557 posts)And they don't care how many young people get killed because their sole interests is in protecting the right of corporations.
President Gas.
sakabatou
(46,273 posts)ChicagoTeamster
(1,183 posts)King_Klonopin
(1,389 posts)Why aren't they humiliated and laughed out of office?
The Congress always had the sole power to declare war.
They had to double-down with war powers act because every president since Reagan
was stepping on this Constitutional law.
Gawd, I hate these people and the BS that they spew!
Akakoji
(557 posts)by not consulting with Congress before launching an illegal war that is destroying the lives and livelihoods of American farmers small business owners, and everyone else who just can't afford to live because of the GOP's ongoing lies. The prices of goods never go down after things like this. It doesn't;t matter to them, though. Because they steal taxpayer money, and lie about even their legal but reprehensible behavior: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/06/overlapping-payments-reveal-mike-lawlers-deep-history-as-a-political-operative-00907538
republianmushroom
(22,593 posts)something cramps their style.
Bayard
(30,134 posts)But, it might as well be if rethuglicans in Congress refuse to reign this admin in.
On to Cuba!