While I think the U.S. effort in Syria is/was1 a really good idea, I have wondered what the legal basis for it is. My best guess is that, if people who understand that kind of question in the Trump administration were asked, they would point to the resolution adopted by Congress right after 9/11. In other words, the resolution adopted eighteen years ago to go after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. While the resolution was obviously not worded that narrowly, the question still arises whether it really covers what the U.S. troops are/were doing in Syria.
Which got me to thinking. Given the resounding vote in House of Representatives last week in favor of the resolution criticizing President Trump for withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria, maybe now is an appropriate time for Congress to pass a resolution authorizing and approving what we are/were doing in Syria. And given the unanimous support among House Democrats for the resolution criticizing President Trump last week, I would expect no problem passing such a resolution this week or next.
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1 I’m not really sure if it is over or not. See here.
PS I assume my sarcasm was obvious, but, in case it wasn’t, I wanted to make it clear.
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