Leid Stories—It’s Way Past Time to Compel Trump to Obey the Law—04.19.18

When Defense Secretary James Mattis advised President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before ordering the April 13 military strikes on alleged chemical weapons production sites in Syria, his concerns were summarily dismissed.

Mattis tried to tell the president that the War Powers Act (also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973) obligated a president to apprise Congress (the people) that the United States military imminently would be involved in armed conflict; the reasons; how long it is expected to last; and the resources needed.

Trump saw no need to obey either the letter or spirit of the law as commander in chief. Moreover, he invited Britain and France to participate in the April 1 attacks.

Leid Stories asks: Is Trump a law unto himself?

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