Democrats condemn Trump for unauthorized U.S. strike on Iraq

January 3

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says congress was not informed ahead of time of the U.S. airstrike on Iraq’s Airport in Baghdad that killed beloved Iranian top commander, Qassem Soleimani, who played a key role in defeating ISIS and was seen as a hero in Iran, Iraq, Syria and beyond.

“The need for advance consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for a reason,” said Schumer.

Normally, for war actions of this magnitude, the president or his administration requires Congressional approval, and experts believe it’s shocking that a President whose under indictment can order airstrikes on another country willy-nilly, and potentially declaring war in Iran.

“Schumer: “The president does not have the authority for a war with Iran. If he plans a large increase in troops and potential hostility over a longer time, the administration will require congressional approval—and the approval of the American people.” https://t.co/CsvzNBsIlV pic.twitter.com/O4NrCn4Vmo

— ABC News (@ABC) January 3, 2020

This happened only a few weeks after Nancy Pelosi declared on CNN live that Iraq didn’t attack the U.S. on September 11, 2001.

The news media calls the Iranian Commander a bad guy while other media say this is false.

The one thing that is for sure is that right after the September 11 attack, congress authorized a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that grants the President sweeping authority to go to war with countries without the authorization of congress, and it has to be reauthorized every year.

Pelosi and the democrats who control the house, have the power to remove that clause out of the DNAA, but so far they haven’t mentioned any plans to do so.

A week ago, democrats who passed the annual National Defense authorization budget, rejected an amendment from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna that would not allow Trump to go to war Iran, and the Democrats help killed it. A total of 188 democrats. Congress rejected Bernie’s amendment.

Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Twittered that Trump’s dangerous escalation in Iran is bringing the U.S. closer “to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.” Bernie said that Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts the U.S. on the path to another war.

When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region. That fear unfortunately turned out to be true.

The U.S. has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we’ve spent trillions.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 3, 2020

It has been said that Trump seems to be doing this to boost his re-election campaign and also to stop the impeachment trial in the Senate just as president Bill Clinton did during his impeachment.

Trump promised to his voters to stop endless wars, and Bernie Sanders took the opportunity to remind him of that today on a video statement saying he has gone to too many funerals due to war.

I’ve gone to too many funerals in my own state. I’ve talked to too many mothers who’ve lost their kids in war. I’ve talked to too many soldiers who’ve come home with PTSD, who have come home without arms and without legs. pic.twitter.com/b2AYbYPtRd

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 4, 2020

Last month congress approved the defense spending for the 2020 fiscal year in the amount of $738 billion dollars, a 3% increase from last year.

Trump asked Iran not to escalate, but the Pentagon just sent 3000 troops to the middle east, while asking american and European oil executives to evacuate.

Pentagon sources tell @rabrowne75 that three thousand or so additional US troops from the 82nd Airborne are being sent to the Middle East to bolster the US presence
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 3, 2020

https://youtu.be/BRoO2ajD-zc