1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported “More Marines and Warships Head to Middle East as Hormuz Mission Intensifies." The article says that the troops are coming from Japan, so there is time for Congress to act. There must be no further escalation of President Trump's undeclared war against Iran without a full and public debate that reveals a compelling reason for going to war. To put the lives to our armed forces and the people of Iran, the Middle East, and increasingly around the world in jeopardy without even the semblance of public debate and a credible rational is both criminal and doing tremendous damage to our reputation around the world. This war is not making us safer. On top of that, the money being spent on this war is money that could be put to use to solve pressing problems at home or to rebuild our reputation as a trustworthy partner in addressing problems around the world. Committing ground troops will almost certainly embroil us in a long term and escalating conflict. President Trump will use "troops on the ground" as a lever to pressure Congress to approve funding for his war. Now is the time to be clear that there will be no additional funding for this undeclared war. Now is the time to demand that the President obey the law and that he abides by the War Powers Act. Act now before more people die.