The Trump administration has rejected the 60-day deadline imposed by the War Powers Act of 1973, which required President Donald Trump to either end hostilities with Iran or seek congressional authorization. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the ceasefire agreement with Iran, reached over three weeks ago, effectively pauses or stops the 60-day clock.
Administration's Position
A senior Trump administration official told the Guardian that for war powers resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on February 28 have terminated. This stance was reiterated by Hegseth during a heated committee hearing.
Senate Vote on War Powers Resolution
On Thursday, Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution introduced by Democrat Adam Schiff, which would have limited the conflict unless Congress authorized further military action. This marked the sixth time Democrats forced a vote on such a resolution related to the Iran war, all of which have failed largely along party lines. However, two Republicans—Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky—voted in favor, while Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed it.
Collins stated on X: "As I have said since these hostilities with Iran began, the president's authority as commander-in-chief is not without limits. The Constitution gives Congress an essential role in decisions of war and peace, and the War Powers Act establishes a clear 60-day deadline for Congress to either authorize or end US involvement in foreign hostilities. That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement."
Other Developments
- White House Correspondents' Dinner Incident: Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington DC, released edited security-camera footage of the incident involving suspected gunman Cole Allen. The video shows four muzzle flashes from an agent's gun but does not clearly show Allen firing his weapon after pointing it at the agent. Secret Service Director Sean Curran told Fox News that Allen was stopped by tripping over a box used to transport a metal detector, not by Secret Service gunfire.
- FISA Extension: Congress passed a 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which grants US intelligence agencies warrantless spying powers.
- Troop Withdrawal Threats: Trump has threatened to withdraw troops from Spain and Italy, two countries that have been critical of his Middle East war. This follows Trump's suggestion of reviewing US military presence in Germany after the chancellor said America was being "humiliated" by Iran.
