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BumRushDaShow

(171,639 posts)
Wed May 6, 2026, 05:28 AM 11 hrs ago

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 chief’s 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Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops in response to an “imminent threat,” and requires American forces be withdrawn from any conflict within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes the action.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 “it’s 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/

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Rubio says War Powers Act '100 percent unconstitutional' (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 11 hrs ago OP
Turds, Turds Everywhere - Nazis Are Pure Shit MayReasonRule 10 hrs ago #1
Let me give you a tutorial, Marco. no_hypocrisy 10 hrs ago #2
I take that as an audition for SCOTUS seat bucolic_frolic 10 hrs ago #3
He wants to be president, he can taste it now. dem4decades 9 hrs ago #4
Everyone Around Trump Has Been "Tasting It", What Little There Is, That Is... MayReasonRule 9 hrs ago #7
Finally got Melania to break into a smile. I'll oasis 7 hrs ago #10
She's His Dominatrix, I Guarantee It MayReasonRule 6 hrs ago #17
and he wants to be our latex supply salesman. nt Javaman 9 hrs ago #5
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war AZLD4Candidate 9 hrs ago #6
Is the power given to Congress to declare war in the Constitution constitutional? SamuelAdams 9 hrs ago #8
Did the reporters ask Rubio whether he has ever READ the US Constitution? FakeNoose 8 hrs ago #9
Almost since day melm00se 7 hrs ago #11
Why Marco is an idiot. Baitball Blogger 7 hrs ago #12
"You know, like in Russia." BumRushDaShow 7 hrs ago #14
Absolutely Akakoji 6 hrs ago #19
Translation: they wanna give up their powers for their Dear Leader sakabatou 7 hrs ago #13
But going to war without Congressional approval isn't unconstitutional (and illegal)? ChicagoTeamster 7 hrs ago #15
They just make up shit as they go King_Klonopin 6 hrs ago #16
Which only means he doesn't;t care that he violated the constitution Akakoji 6 hrs ago #18
trump and Rubio us the term "unconstitutional" when ever republianmushroom 4 hrs ago #20
Unconstitutional because it interferes with our plans, and we say so Bayard 4 hrs ago #21

no_hypocrisy

(55,243 posts)
2. Let me give you a tutorial, Marco.
Wed May 6, 2026, 06:19 AM
10 hrs ago

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.

oasis

(53,874 posts)
10. Finally got Melania to break into a smile. I'll
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:05 AM
7 hrs ago

bet she’s not quite that jovial when hubby, Donald produces “the real deal” at bedtime.

AZLD4Candidate

(6,884 posts)
6. Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war
Wed May 6, 2026, 07:38 AM
9 hrs ago

War Powers Act bends this a little bit, but still, need a congressional declaration of war.

SamuelAdams

(137 posts)
8. Is the power given to Congress to declare war in the Constitution constitutional?
Wed May 6, 2026, 08:00 AM
9 hrs ago

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.

melm00se

(5,169 posts)
11. Almost since day
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:17 AM
7 hrs ago

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

(52,641 posts)
12. Why Marco is an idiot.
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:33 AM
7 hrs ago

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.

Akakoji

(556 posts)
19. Absolutely
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:53 AM
6 hrs ago

And they don't care how many young people get killed because their sole interests is in protecting the right of corporations.

President Gas.

King_Klonopin

(1,389 posts)
16. They just make up shit as they go
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:18 AM
6 hrs ago

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

(556 posts)
18. Which only means he doesn't;t care that he violated the constitution
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:48 AM
6 hrs ago

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

Bayard

(30,129 posts)
21. Unconstitutional because it interferes with our plans, and we say so
Wed May 6, 2026, 12:59 PM
4 hrs ago

But, it might as well be if rethuglicans in Congress refuse to reign this admin in.

On to Cuba!

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