Congress Authorization has "Never been Sought Before," Trump Says while Research Says Differently

On April 30th of 2026, Donald J Trump has hit his sixty-day mark in the conflict in Iran without Congress Authorization, this is counting February 28th as day zero. However Donald J Trump announced to Congress about the attack on March 2nd, 2026, so legally March 2nd is day zero meaning the legalized sixty-day limit is today, March 1st of 2026. Donald J Trump wrote to Congress saying, "On April 7, 2026, I ordered a two-week ceasefire. The ceasefire has since been extended. There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28th, 2026, have terminated. Despite the success of United States operations against the Iranian regime and continued efforts to secure a lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran to the United States and our Armed Forces remains significant."

Donald J Trump failed to mention in his letter that the 1973 War Powers Resolution allows a legalized 30-day extension only liable for use if Congress has not authorized a conflict, and extra time is needed purely for the safe and nonviolent removal of United States soldiers from another location.

"I have and will continue to direct United States Armed Forces consistent with my responsibilities and pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct United States foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive," Donald J Trump included in his letter. This is a word-for-word statement that tells Donald J Trump will continue to attack Iran regardless or not if Congress authorizes the conflict. While Donald J Trump was headed to Florida, he informed reporters that he does not care if Congress authorizes military use or not "because it's never been sought before" by any President.

"There's been numerous, many, many times, and nobody's ever gotten it before. They consider it totally unconstitutional, but we're always in touch with Congress, but nobody's ever sought it before. Nobody's ever asked for it before. It's never been used before. Why should we be different?"

On April 30th, 2026, Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson, told News Reporters that "We're not at war." He continued to back Donald J Trump saying, "I don't think we have an active, kinetic military bombing, firing or anything like that. Right now, we are trying to broker a peace."

Donald J Trump's claim on Congress never authorizing military use is wrong, along with his claim that it has never been sought once. In World War I, on April 6th, 1917, Congress declared war against Germany, and on December 7th, 1917, Congress declared war against Austria-Hungary. Following twenty-four years and one day later, during World War II, Congress declared war on Japan on December 8th, 1941. On December 11th of 1941, Congress declared war on Nazi Germany and Italy. On June 5th of 1942, Congress declared war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. These dates are only from World War I and World War II. There's also been other non-formal declarations from Congress, but still held Congress' approval and authorization.