Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Time for a procedural check question: Trump can't get our troops into a battle skirmish (Original Post) Baitball Blogger Monday OP
ha ha. Trump does whatever he wants. Irish_Dem Monday #1
Only Congress can declare war. ProudMNDemocrat Monday #2
That hasn't been true since Vietnam... Wounded Bear Monday #3
War powers act of 1973 madville Monday #4
World War Ii bpj62 Monday #5
Congress really has ceded a lot of its authority to the Igel Monday #6
The blessing Dan Monday #8
No Dan Monday #7
Is this a reference to Panama? EndlessWire Monday #9

ProudMNDemocrat

(19,172 posts)
2. Only Congress can declare war.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:27 PM
Monday

But the the fact that Bush ordered the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

At this juncture, there are no wars US Troops need to be a part of.

Wounded Bear

(60,840 posts)
3. That hasn't been true since Vietnam...
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:32 PM
Monday

It only becomes a question when it becomes a major military operation. How big of an operation isn't really well defined.

"Skirmish" usually refers to a small battle between two small military forces. POTUS can send in a SEAL Team basically anywhere for any reason, and engage in lethal force to accomplish whatever the mission is. Sending in the whole 101st Airborne division would be problematic and would "require" a declaration of war or something. Would a battalion or brigate level operation be a war or not? Good question.

Sadly, in an era when small unit actions are more the norm, POTUS can get us involved in a lot of fighting without Congressional approval. Knowing trump, he will stretch the limits to the max.

madville

(7,479 posts)
4. War powers act of 1973
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:40 PM
Monday

Yes, he can get us involved in minor conflicts, just must notify Congress within 48 hours and needs Congressional approval to go past 60 days of operations.

bpj62

(1,033 posts)
5. World War Ii
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:42 PM
Monday

That was the last time that the United States Congress formally declared war. Korea was considered a "Police Action" and Johnson used the Gulf of Tonkin incident to escalate our troop presence in Vietnam. We have invaded Grenada, Panama and Kuwait since then without any Congressional authorization.

Trump is going to invade Mexico and he is going to get alot of soldiers and American civilians killed. He doesn't understand just how ruthless and depraved the Cartels are. Also Mexico isn't just going to stand by and let this happen without some sort of retaliation. It may not be a military action but it will be something that will cause the American people some sort of pain.

Igel

(36,229 posts)
6. Congress really has ceded a lot of its authority to the
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 03:29 PM
Monday

executive.

Accumulated power attracts those who love and seek power.

Dan

(4,154 posts)
8. The blessing
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 03:39 PM
Monday

If you would say that is that the Cartels just don’t fight soldiers, civilians, judges. Etc., they fight everyone and anyone.

Dan

(4,154 posts)
7. No
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 03:37 PM
Monday

Because it would depend on the definition of the “conflict” or rather the name he would use to define the “conflict”.

EndlessWire

(7,291 posts)
9. Is this a reference to Panama?
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 04:35 PM
Monday

Trump so far has chosen weaker opponents. If he's trolling for approval, he's going to be disappointed. But, I think he would do that without approval. He doesn't care.

He seems to be casting about for someone to attack. ??? It's not like these countries don't have friends. He's nuts.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Time for a procedural che...