After the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched an extensive military assault on Iran, killing over 500 people, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the majority of his family members, the US Congress is planning to vote on motions to curb the war powers of President Donald Trump. Howerver it is less likely to materialise as the Republican majority will shield him.
Since his return to power in 2025, Trump has sought to increase his executive powers; hence US Congress wants to reassert its power, as Congress is the only entity in the US that can declare war. “Trump has launched an unnecessary, idiotic, and illegal war against Iran,” Senator Tim Kaine wrote on X after Trump declared war against Iran.
Many of Trump’s critics claim that the war is illegal both under US law and international law. Although only Congress can launch a war, the war powers act from 1973 allows the president to launch a limited military intervention in response to an attack on the United States.
The White House said that just before the attack started, it had sent a formal notice of aggression to eight top Congressional leaders.
What Is War Powers Act
The War Powers Act, which gives the President limited military authority to respond to an emergency situation created by an attack, and mandates the President obtain permission from Congress if he wants to keep fighting beyond a 60-day limit.
The War Powers Act requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, and gives 30 days withdrawal period.
The act was introduced during the Vietnam War, limiting the President’s ability to send troops overseas without congressional approval. The two-third of both Congress and the Senate approved. It has been alleged several times in the past that war powers have been violated, but no allegation has resulted in successful legal action.