Trump Claims Iran War "Terminated" to Dodge Congress as 60-Day Deadline Expires

President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Congress declaring that hostilities with Iran have “terminated,” just as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution to seek congressional authorization for ongoing military action expired. The letter, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, claims that a fragile ceasefire since April effectively ended the conflict that began in late February 2026.

This declaration comes despite the continued presence of U.S. troops in the region and ongoing military operations, allowing the Trump administration to sidestep the legal requirement to obtain congressional approval by May 1. Trump’s move follows a long-standing pattern of dismissing checks on executive war powers, arguing the law is “totally unconstitutional” and pointing out that previous presidents never sought such approval.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this stance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, asserting that the 60-day clock was paused during the ceasefire — a novel and legally unsupported interpretation, according to Senator Tim Kaine. Meanwhile, House Speaker Johnson echoed the administration’s position, insisting the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran because there is no active combat, despite the broader regional conflict that has escalated since February.

The Senate has repeatedly rejected war powers resolutions aimed at curbing Trump’s authority, with the latest vote marking the sixth failure of such measures. Notably, Senator Susan Collins broke ranks to emphasize that the deadline is mandatory, warning that any further military action must have clear objectives and a defined strategy to end the conflict.

The Trump administration appears to be reframing its military engagement under a new mission name, “Epic Passage,” focused on reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and ensuring freedom of navigation. This shift, suggested by former National Security Council official Richard Goldberg, could be used to justify continued operations without fresh congressional approval.

The conflict, initiated with Israeli assistance, has expanded into a regional crisis that threatens U.S. alliances, disrupts global supply chains, and raises costs for American consumers. Trump’s maneuver to avoid congressional oversight highlights a disturbing trend of executive overreach and disregard for democratic accountability in matters of war.

As the administration uses foreign conflict to consolidate power and distract from domestic scandals, it is clear that the American people and their representatives face a critical moment to demand transparency and uphold constitutional limits on presidential military authority.