Trump Sidesteps Iran War Limits While Ending DHS Shutdown After 75 Days

President Donald Trump has once again ignored the constitutional guardrails meant to check unchecked military action, as the conflict with Iran has now surpassed the 60-day mark set by the 1973 War Powers Resolution. This law requires the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities within 60 days unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued engagement or grants a 30-day extension.

Despite this clear legal framework, the Senate voted 47-50 against a war powers resolution aimed at limiting the administration’s military operations in Iran. Notably, Republican Sen. Susan Collins broke ranks to support the resolution, emphasizing the need for a "clear mission, achievable goals, and a defined strategy" to end the conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to muddy the waters by claiming that a ceasefire in Iran would pause the War Powers clock, a dubious interpretation at best.

This refusal to seek proper congressional approval for war is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration sidestepping democratic accountability while escalating foreign conflicts. The administration’s aggressive posture towards Iran also serves as a distraction from mounting domestic scandals and consolidates executive power without meaningful oversight.

In a rare bipartisan move, Trump signed legislation ending a 75-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. The bill restores funding to essential agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the end of September. The shutdown had crippled critical homeland security operations, highlighting the administration’s willingness to weaponize government functions for political leverage.

The ongoing Iran war authorization impasse and the DHS funding crisis reflect a White House that flouts legal norms and prioritizes political theater over governance. As the Trump administration continues to push the boundaries of executive power, Congress must reclaim its constitutional role to prevent further erosion of democratic accountability.