President Donald Trump has dismissed Congress's efforts to limit his authority to launch military action against Iran, calling the move a 'meaningless, unpatriotic waste of time' following a House vote to invoke the War Powers Act. In a phone interview with The Independent, Trump said he was 'not concerned' about the legislation, which passed the House with the support of four Republicans who broke ranks with their party.
The resolution, introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks, directs the president to remove US armed forces from hostilities with Iran under the 1973 War Powers Act. Trump criticised the four Republican defectors—Tom Barrett, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Thomas Massie—as 'grandstanders' who 'should be ashamed of themselves'. He took to Truth Social to label them 'four bad Republicans' for joining Democrats in the 211–vote majority.
The president's remarks came amid ongoing US-Iran hostilities, despite his insistence that a ceasefire remains in effect. During an Oval Office press conference, Trump downplayed recent exchanges of fire, suggesting that in the Middle East, a ceasefire means 'shooting in a more moderate manner'. He claimed that Iran was eager to negotiate an end to the three-month conflict, which he initiated in February.
The War Powers Act requires the president to withdraw troops within 60 days of engagement unless Congress declares war or authorises force. This marks the fourth House attempt to invoke the act on Iran. Trump's approval ratings have suffered amid the conflict, with a New York Times/Siena College poll showing a record-low 37% approval and 65% disapproval of his handling of the Iran war.
