Congress Must Use Power of the Purse to End Trump's Unconstitutional War Against Iran
Source: Joseph Addington. "Congress Can End Trump’s Unconstitutional War in Iran - The American Conservative." April 7, 2026. www.theamericanconservative.com
The Gist
The author argues that Trump is fighting an illegal war against Iran without Congress's permission. Since the Constitution says only Congress can declare war, lawmakers should cut off funding for this military action, just like they did to end the Vietnam War.
Conclusion
Congress should use its constitutional power of the purse to end President Trump's war against Iran by prohibiting funding for combat operations
Premises
- Trump's war against Iran is unconstitutional because Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 gives Congress exclusive power to declare war
- The war against Iran constitutes a criminal war of aggression under international law, similar to those prosecuted at Nuremberg
- Iran has not invaded or threatened to invade the United States, making this not a defensive war
- Congress has successfully used the power of the purse to end previous unconstitutional military actions, including the Vietnam War
- The Constitution grants Congress control over spending as a check on executive abuses, as Madison explained in Federalist 58
- Trump has not asked Congress to declare war because he knows it would be rejected, just as Obama's Syria request was rejected
- Wars of aggression cannot effectively create civil society or alleviate oppression, as demonstrated by the failed Afghanistan intervention
Assumptions
- The current military action against Iran constitutes a 'war' requiring congressional declaration
- Congressional majorities would vote to cut off funding if presented with the opportunity
- International law principles from Nuremberg apply to current U.S. military actions
- The power of the purse is an effective and appropriate tool for Congress to check executive war powers
- Military action not in direct self-defense against invasion constitutes aggression