Dissecting the Trump Administration’s Effort to Circumvent the War Powers Resolution for Boat Strikes

November 4, 2025

Brian Finucane

On Monday, the Trump administration’s use of military force against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and Pacific will run afoul of the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day clock, which requires termination of such operations if the president has been unable to obtain affirmative congressional authorization. The administration, however, has reportedly come up with a legal argument for why the War Powers Resolution does not apply. As I explain here, that argument is incorrect and dangerous.