1. United States
2. W.V.
3. Letter

I am writing to formally admonish you for your repeated public praise of actions that are unconstitutional, unlawful, and profoundly dangerous to West Virginians and to the rule of law. You have openly celebrated and promoted unilateral military actions taken without Congressional authorization, including rhetoric suggesting control over foreign resources and endorsement of acts that constitute violations of both U.S. constitutional law and international law. Under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. The president does not have the legal power to initiate sustained military action, seize foreign assets, or bypass Congress — and a governor has no authority whatsoever to legitimize or cheerlead such behavior. Your statements do not exist in a vacuum. When a sitting governor praises unconstitutional conduct, you normalize authoritarian behavior, undermine civilian oversight of the military, and erode public trust in democratic governance. This is especially alarming given your own record of disregarding judicial authority in matters closer to home, including the illegal deployment of West Virginia National Guard troops despite a court ruling. West Virginians expect their governor to uphold the Constitution, not selectively abandon it for political loyalty or television soundbites. We do not need performative toughness, propaganda narratives, or reckless foreign posturing. We need leadership grounded in law, accountability, and respect for the lives of those placed in harm’s way by political decisions. Your role is to protect West Virginians, respect constitutional limits, and model lawful governance. I urge you to retract your statements endorsing unconstitutional actions, publicly affirm the primacy of Congressional war powers, and recommit yourself to the rule of law. History will not be kind to leaders who cheered the erosion of democracy instead of defending it.