War!

 President Trump Declares War... Kinda’. 

In Ordering U.S. Military Forces to conduct Combat Operations against Iran, Pres. Trump has taken The United States into War. 

While there was No actual Decleration of War, the act itself is an Act of War. And while there was No actual Consent from the U.S. Congress, Pres. Trump pretty much let anyone paying attention, including both Congress and Iran, know that This was Coming. 

While there was no formal notification of the Combat Mission, until the Mission was Complete, he certainly let on that a Combat Mission was imminent. We are all fortunate and grateful that the Mission appears to have been a huge success, even though the process of moving to, and carrying out, the Mission was, in typical Trump fashion, highly flawed. 

First, there was no attempt by the Trump Administration to garner support of any allies we may have left. This includes of course, Canada and England, but also other Allies from the Ukranian Conflict (War), such as France, Germany, Poland and others. 

There was of course, the matter of Time and Security, but Trump could have at least given these allies advance notice and sought their support. 

The same too could be said for Pres. Trump’s relationship with the U.S. Congress. He could have at least given Leadership Members advance notice and sought their support. He can and does claim that there just wasn’t enough time and that Mission Security made it necessary to execute the Mission quickly to prevent any leaks of information. Vice President Vance said Pres. Trump acted with ‘full authority’. 

That statement, however, is at odds with the U.S. Constitution. 

The Constitution calls for Congress to Authorize U.S. Acts of War. The Constitution makes no provision for excluding Congress for fear of leaks. 

Of course, MAGA Republicans, who have slim majorities in both the House and Senate, Greenlighted and Cheered on the President’s action. 

Democrats, who have substantial numbers in both Houses, voiced concern and misgivings. There is also, a significant divide among MAGA supporters, with many of them holding fast to ‘America First’, somewhat isolationist stance. This means there may have been insufficient support in Congress for President Trump’s attack on Iran. Another reason for the President to avoid Congress. 

He could have at least though, included a few key Members for 

Consultation and notification. He could then claim that while he may not have sought Congressional approval, he did fact, notify and consult with them. 

But that’s not ‘the way he rolls’. He must be ‘The Decider’, the ‘Shot Caller’. He sees himself as always right. When told the Director of National Intelligence, the hand-picked, and clearly unqualified Tulsi Gabbard informed the Press that Iran having Nuclear Weapon capability was ‘Not imminent’, Trump replied, ‘I don’t care what she said’. And ‘She’s Wrong’. 

Meanwhile, the CIA Director Ratcliff told Pres. Trump and anyone else concerned at a White House meeting, that Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon. 

The CIA is very much a member of the National Intelligence Community. Director Ratcliff, or someone on his behalf, must have informed DNI Gabbard of its take on Iranian Nuclear Weapons.  

So, who knows? Pres. Trump got what he wanted to hear. 

All said and done, Much has been said, and What's Done is Done. What remains to be seen is Iranian Reaction to the U.S. Attack. More will be revealed.