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BumRushDaShow

(172,712 posts)
Wed May 6, 2026, 05:28 AM May 6

Rubio says War Powers Act '100 percent unconstitutional'

Source: The Hill

05/05/26 6:17 PM ET


Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday argued the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, adding that the Trump administration is only complying with “elements” of it to maintain good relations with Congress. “The War Powers Act is unconstitutional, 100 percent,” Rubio told reporters during a White House briefing, claiming that his position has been shared by “every single president” that has occupied the Oval Office since the law passed in 1973.

Also known as the War Powers Resolution, the federal law requires the sitting president to seek congressional authorization for foreign conflicts. Meant to function as a check on the commander in chief’s ability to begin or escalate hostilities, the law mandates the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops in response to an “imminent threat,” and requires American forces be withdrawn from any conflict within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes the action.

President Trump ordered a start to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran on Feb. 28 but did not formally notify Congress until March 2. As the conflict passed its 60-day mark on Friday, Trump was asked whether he would seek approval from lawmakers. He replied that “it’s never been sought before” and that the law was “totally unconstitutional.”

The administration last week argued in a letter to Congress that the clock on the War Powers Act stopped when Trump declared a 14-day ceasefire with Iran on April 7, which he has since extended indefinitely. On Tuesday, Rubio said gestures of compliance with the law did not mean officials “acknowledge the law as constitutional.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5864920-rubio-argues-war-powers-unconstitutional/

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Rubio says War Powers Act '100 percent unconstitutional' (Original Post) BumRushDaShow May 6 OP
Turds, Turds Everywhere - Nazis Are Pure Shit MayReasonRule May 6 #1
Let me give you a tutorial, Marco. no_hypocrisy May 6 #2
I take that as an audition for SCOTUS seat bucolic_frolic May 6 #3
He wants to be president, he can taste it now. dem4decades May 6 #4
Everyone Around Trump Has Been "Tasting It", What Little There Is, That Is... MayReasonRule May 6 #7
Finally got Melania to break into a smile. I'll oasis May 6 #10
She's His Dominatrix, I Guarantee It MayReasonRule May 6 #17
and he wants to be our latex supply salesman. nt Javaman May 6 #5
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war AZLD4Candidate May 6 #6
Is the power given to Congress to declare war in the Constitution constitutional? SamuelAdams May 6 #8
Did the reporters ask Rubio whether he has ever READ the US Constitution? FakeNoose May 6 #9
Almost since day melm00se May 6 #11
Why Marco is an idiot. Baitball Blogger May 6 #12
"You know, like in Russia." BumRushDaShow May 6 #14
Absolutely Akakoji May 6 #19
Translation: they wanna give up their powers for their Dear Leader sakabatou May 6 #13
But going to war without Congressional approval isn't unconstitutional (and illegal)? ChicagoTeamster May 6 #15
They just make up shit as they go King_Klonopin May 6 #16
Which only means he doesn't;t care that he violated the constitution Akakoji May 6 #18
trump and Rubio us the term "unconstitutional" when ever republianmushroom May 6 #20
Unconstitutional because it interferes with our plans, and we say so Bayard May 6 #21

no_hypocrisy

(55,473 posts)
2. Let me give you a tutorial, Marco.
Wed May 6, 2026, 06:19 AM
May 6

No, you're wrong. The War Powers Act is constitutional.

What it isn't is applicable at this moment.

Because TWPA only applies when the United States has been attacked and we're defending ourselves.

Your boss jumped the gun.

oasis

(54,068 posts)
10. Finally got Melania to break into a smile. I'll
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:05 AM
May 6

bet she’s not quite that jovial when hubby, Donald produces “the real deal” at bedtime.

AZLD4Candidate

(6,998 posts)
6. Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war
Wed May 6, 2026, 07:38 AM
May 6

War Powers Act bends this a little bit, but still, need a congressional declaration of war.

SamuelAdams

(220 posts)
8. Is the power given to Congress to declare war in the Constitution constitutional?
Wed May 6, 2026, 08:00 AM
May 6

This administration seems to think not or that it is meaningless since they seem to claim the president has unlimited authority to start and fight wars.

melm00se

(5,177 posts)
11. Almost since day
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:17 AM
May 6

one, there has been an argument over the constitutionality of WPA.

Neither side is willing to take the case to the courts as a loss would drastically alter the balance of power when it comes to the use of the military.

Baitball Blogger

(52,756 posts)
12. Why Marco is an idiot.
Wed May 6, 2026, 09:33 AM
May 6

Without the War Powers Act a reckless, narcissistic and dementia riddled president could commit this country into a war without Congress' approval. In case you aren't seeing the big picture, it means that young men and women could be deployed to the front line and used for cannon fodder. You know, like in Russia.

Akakoji

(570 posts)
19. Absolutely
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:53 AM
May 6

And they don't care how many young people get killed because their sole interests is in protecting the right of corporations.

President Gas.

King_Klonopin

(1,395 posts)
16. They just make up shit as they go
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:18 AM
May 6

Why aren't they humiliated and laughed out of office?
The Congress always had the sole power to declare war.
They had to double-down with war powers act because every president since Reagan
was stepping on this Constitutional law.

Gawd, I hate these people and the BS that they spew!

Akakoji

(570 posts)
18. Which only means he doesn't;t care that he violated the constitution
Wed May 6, 2026, 10:48 AM
May 6

by not consulting with Congress before launching an illegal war that is destroying the lives and livelihoods of American farmers small business owners, and everyone else who just can't afford to live because of the GOP's ongoing lies. The prices of goods never go down after things like this. It doesn't;t matter to them, though. Because they steal taxpayer money, and lie about even their legal but reprehensible behavior: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/06/overlapping-payments-reveal-mike-lawlers-deep-history-as-a-political-operative-00907538

Bayard

(30,396 posts)
21. Unconstitutional because it interferes with our plans, and we say so
Wed May 6, 2026, 12:59 PM
May 6

But, it might as well be if rethuglicans in Congress refuse to reign this admin in.

On to Cuba!

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