Trump Claims Iran Hostilities ‘Terminated’ to Dodge War Powers Deadline Amid Ongoing Military Actions

President Donald Trump sent a letter to Congress declaring that hostilities with Iran have ended, just in time to beat the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline that requires either congressional authorization or a military withdrawal. The move aims to reset the clock on the president’s authority to conduct military operations without a congressional vote.

Trump defended his aggressive stance on Iran during remarks in Florida, insisting the conflict is necessary to prevent the “lunatics” in Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “We cannot let lunatics have a nuclear weapon,” he said, acknowledging he expected worse economic fallout but insisting he had to “do what’s right.” He claimed Iran’s military capabilities are “decimated” and that the regime’s leadership has been eliminated.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command shared images of ongoing naval operations, including helicopter maintenance aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, underscoring that American forces remain actively engaged in the region. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions targeting Iranian financial networks, vowing a “relentless” crackdown on Tehran’s ability to fund terrorism.

Trump’s attempt to declare hostilities over has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and legal experts alike. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused him of sidestepping Congress to avoid a vote that could limit his war powers. Legal advisers familiar with the War Powers Resolution, such as John Bellinger and Stephen Pomper, argue that a ceasefire does not automatically halt the 60-day clock, especially given the ongoing U.S. naval blockade and troop presence in the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is not a credible interpretation,” Pomper said bluntly, noting the active blockade constitutes an act of war. Presidents from both parties have historically pushed the limits of the War Powers Resolution, but Trump’s maneuver highlights a troubling pattern of executive overreach and disregard for congressional authority.

As Trump escalates economic and military pressure on Iran, the administration’s efforts raise urgent questions about accountability, transparency, and the erosion of democratic checks on war-making powers. The conflict is far from over, and so is the struggle to hold this president accountable for circumventing the constitutional role of Congress in matters of war.