No, the Threat to U.S. Interests Need Not Be 'Imminent' for POTUS to Use Force Unilaterally
Federal State And Tribal Powers,Iran,Trump Agenda,US Congress,Donald Trump,War,Transparency,Middle East
In "Democrats Question Trump's Urgency to Attack Iran," New York Times reporter Minho Kim asserts:
The lawmakers questioned whether the United States faced an "imminent" threat from Iran, an assertion Mr. Trump made on Saturday, and a legal requirement for the president to initiate military action without congressional authorization. [Emphasis added.]
There is no such legal requirement. And I say this as someone who has repeatedly argued that the Constitution's default position is that the president must seek congressional authorization prior to using force...
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Americans Mourn the Death of Country Music Icon Dolly Parton
August 25th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Trump Administration Weighs Visa Revocations for Foreigners Who Apply for Asylum
August 25th, 2026
Announcement
The AllSides Student Journalism Award Opens Sept. 1
AllSides Staff
August 24th, 2026
News
Under-reported Stories About Gun Regulations, Trump’s War on Drugs, and Canada’s MAID Program Demand a Closer Look
Malayna J. Bizier
August 24th, 2026