Congress failed to block the sale of missiles to Saudi Arabia. Why? Alexandra Stark - December 23, 2021 Just voting on the measure helps draw Americans’ attention to the Saudi role in Yemen’s war
What 9/11 taught us about the president, Congress and who makes war and peace Douglas Kriner - September 11, 2021 It’s more complicated than it appears.
Biden may be getting rid of the Authorizations for the Use of Military Force. That deserves a ‘Whoa.’ Andrew Rudalevige - March 6, 2021 The possibility of addressing the legal framework for the war on terror is big news.
Only Congress has the authority to declare war. Can it take that power back from the presidency? Saikrishna Prakash - September 30, 2020 Here are some possible courses of action — if the legislature wants to do more than signal its displeasure.
How a stronger presidency could lead to more effective government William Howell and Terry Moe - September 13, 2020 And more effective government could help reduce populism
Can Congress reclaim authority it has handed over to the president? It’s trying. Soren Dayton and Mort Halperin - August 19, 2020 With their bipartisan backing, these bills could claw back some powers that have shifted to the presidency.
Trump tweets that he’s America’s chief law enforcement officer. That’s only true if others let him be. William D. Adler - February 19, 2020 Impartial law enforcement is critical for democracy.
Is it really time to scrap democracy? Let’s examine the evidence. Andrew Gelman - February 17, 2020 Roslyn Fuller’s new book takes apart the pessimists’ arguments
The Republican Senate just rebuked Trump using the War Powers Act — for the third time. That’s remarkable. Sarah Binder - February 14, 2020 Congress hasn’t used it against any other president.
Does Trump need Congress’s approval to go to war with Iran? Andrew Rudalevige - January 4, 2020 That depends on whether Congress wants to try to stop him.
Is the impeachment inquiry really ‘unconstitutional’? Andrew Rudalevige - October 10, 2019 There’s a long history of White House lawyers saying what the boss wants to hear.
Trump’s Fourth of July celebration is partisan and militaristic — just like the early Independence Day celebrations Simon Gilhooley - July 4, 2019 Americans in the 19th century wouldn’t have minded the partisanship or military parades, but would have balked at glorifying the commander in chief.
No, a downed drone does not give Trump the authority to start a war. He still needs congressional authorization. Andrew Rudalevige - June 22, 2019 Two articles of the Constitution and two statutes offer guidance.
Yes, Trump can override Congress and sell weapons to Saudi Arabia — even over Republican objections Jennifer Spindel - May 29, 2019 It’s not easy for Congress to block arms sales.
Why Congress’s rebuke of Trump’s emergency declaration matters — despite the president’s veto Andrew Rudalevige - March 15, 2019 A short history of presidential vetoes and Congress’s attempts to override them.
The Senate voted to block Trump’s national emergency declaration. Now what? Sarah Binder - March 15, 2019 Here are 3 takeaways from Congress’s highly unusual rebuke.
Does Trump really have ‘absolute power’ to declare a national emergency? Let’s examine the statute. Andrew Rudalevige - February 15, 2019 Editors' note: We are reposting this analysis, first published on January
Why is the Senate challenging Trump on Yemen? Jordan Tama - November 30, 2018 Here’s what you need to know.
Attacking Syria wasn’t legal a year ago. It’s still not. Andrew Rudalevige - April 13, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72115" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. Navy sailors staff the Arleigh Burke-class
Here’s why the Trump administration may actually want Congress to pass a new authorization for military force Andrew Rudalevige - November 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66466" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this photo from Nov. 6, U.S.
When did Congress authorize fighting in Niger? That’s an excellent question. Andrew Rudalevige - November 11, 2017 It’s Veterans Day – not a bad time to give
Trump’s missile attack on Syria might be satisfying. But it’s not legal. Andrew Rudalevige - April 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56578" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This image released on April 7
Congress may give Trump legal authority to fight the Islamic State Andrew Rudalevige - March 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55840" align="alignnone" width="960"] U.S. forces drive armored vehicles near
This is why the Congressional Budget Office will likely survive Republican attacks Sarah Binder - March 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55381" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan speaks
No, White House lawyers would not prevent a President Trump from overstepping his constitutional bounds Andrew Rudalevige - June 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42060" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)[/caption] A recent New
Is the war against the Islamic State illegal? A new lawsuit should prompt Congress to decide. Andrew Rudalevige - May 11, 2016 In April, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the
Should Obama bomb the Islamic State? Ask Congress first. Andrew Rudalevige - November 18, 2015 The mass murders in Paris on Friday by the Islamic State terrorist
Six degrees of al-Qaeda? Andrew Rudalevige - September 12, 2014 Before the president's ISIL speech this week, I noted that
War Powers and the White House Andrew Rudalevige - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15548" align="alignnone" width="300"] President Obama meets with congressional leaders
Who needs Congress? Andrew Rudalevige - August 20, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14696" align="alignleft" width="908"] A U.S. Navy F/A-18 launches off
The lawsuit rolls forward Andrew Rudalevige - July 31, 2014 To no one's surprise, the House of Representatives has voted
Always in Vague Andrew Rudalevige - January 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_5564" align="alignleft" width="319" special=""] For President Obama, flexibility is
A “Hands-Tied Presidency”? Refer to the syllabus… Andrew Rudalevige - September 8, 2013 A piece in the Sunday review section of the New
Syria Authorization 2.0 Andrew Rudalevige - September 4, 2013 News outlets including Roll Call's #WGDB blog recently released the
A Win for the WPR? No, but… Andrew Rudalevige - September 2, 2013 President Obama's decision to seek congressional authorization for the use
Turning Down the Chair Andrew Rudalevige - December 20, 2012 David Hawkings makes an interesting point in today's CQ/Roll Call
Administrative Politics Andrew Rudalevige - June 25, 2012 While everyone else is busy rebutting Jacqueline Stevens, I wanted
Calling the Tune Andrew Rudalevige - November 8, 2011 The president "shall take care that the laws be faithfully
Presidential War Powers Update: “Hostilities” = “Vietnam”? Andrew Rudalevige - June 30, 2011 President Obama's press conference yesterday dealt with an issue I've
War Powers Update: No Hostilities Andrew Rudalevige - June 15, 2011 In keeping with previous posts on the subject (e.g., here, here,
Surrender (but don’t give yourself away) Andrew Rudalevige - June 3, 2011 Today the House of Representatives will, finally, debate the Libyan
War Powers Compliance Andrew Rudalevige - May 26, 2011 The House Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday revisited the question of
How’s Obama Doing? Part III: True Believer…in Compromise? Andrew Rudalevige - April 12, 2011 The competing narratives that accompany the Obama administration to date
Benefits of a Classical Education Gregory Koger - March 25, 2011 Over at _The Atlantic_, Rob Goodman and Jimmy Soni have
War Powers Irresolution Andrew Rudalevige - March 22, 2011 A question raised by a "Politico story":http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51687.html yesterday -- "Did