But Trump and his supporters say this is not a war. Which is why, they say, no Congressional declaration of war is necessary.
WW2 was the last time Congress declared a war. It was the last official war. Since then, Americans have been told that this or that conflict is "not really" a war.
So you can't really call on Americans to act as if this was a war, can you?
> So you can’t really call on Americans to act as if this was a war, can you? <
Fair point. And it’s not just Trump. Since 1945 we’ve been living in the age of the imperial presidency. No need to ask Congress for a Declaration of War. Just call the war by some other name.
Congress seems to be okay with this. And that’s the real disgrace.
Side point: Presidents traditionally have been given leeway to take quick military actions on their own in their capacity as commander-in-chief. That makes sense. If a threat is immediate, can’t wait around for Congress to convene.
But otherwise, the Constitution requires the input of Congress.