1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to ask that Congress repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001 (115 Stat. 224), that Congress reiterate its authority under the War Powers Clause, and that both chambers of Congress immediately inquire into President Trump’s strikes on Iran to determine if he has violated the War Powers Act of 1973. Presidents, regardless of parties, have no authority to unilaterally declare war on another country. Yet, ever since the AUMF was signed into law, the United States has carried out military campaigns in more than 100 countries. In 22 countries, the United States has even carried out classified military campaigns. The AUMF is essentially a blank checkbook given to the executive branch. There is a reason our founding fathers entrusted war powers to Congress. The AUMF is an overly broad delegation of a core power granted to Congress under Article I, and if we had more competent justices on the Supreme Court—such an overly broad delegation would’ve been overturned. It appears Supreme Court is unwilling to ensure that the Constitution survives the Trump administration, which means that it’s up to Congress to uphold the checks and balances that our founding fathers intended. Our moral, ethical, and political standing across the world is being degraded daily by this president and his administration. It used to be that when the United States spoke on an issue that the world would listen. It used to be that when our country stood up for what’s right, that the world would view our actions as morally imperative. By allowing an unhinged, selfish, and narcissistic man to act on irrational whims and carry out military strikes without consulting Congress—you are allowing our standing in the world to be diminished further. Congress must act immediately, repeal AUMF, and issue a joint resolution reiterating that Congress and only Congress has the authority to declare war. Additionally, I’d ask that you act to restore checks and balances to our government, otherwise you are co-signing our country’s fall into authoritarianism, and enabling our president to continue acting as if he’s a dictator.