War Secretary Pete Hegseth said that President Donald Trump’s 60-day war powers deadline is on pause during the ceasefire with Iran, giving him considerably more time to operate unilaterally without congressional approval.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 gives the president a 60-day grace period to conclude any war started without congressional approval. When asked during a hearing if Trump was going to seek congressional authorization for the war with Iran, given the impending deadline, Hegseth argued that he had much more time, as the timeline was put on hold during a ceasefire.
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“Ultimately, I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that. However, we are in a ceasefire right now, which, by our understanding, means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth’s comments appear to be the first time the Trump administration has advanced that argument, and are likely to receive intense legal challenges. It’s unclear what legal basis Hegseth is basing his claim on.
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The War Powers Resolution is set to expire tomorrow.
Though Republicans control both the House and Senate, a vote to secure congressional approval could see some defections, given the relative unpopularity of the war with Iran. Republican lawmakers are likely hoping to avoid going on the record as to whether they supported the war, especially if a deal with Iran remains elusive.
