Trump’s Iran War Hits 60 Days and Is Now Triply Illegal

Today marks 60 days since President Trump notified Congress that he launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran — a conflict that began two days earlier on February 28. That notification triggered the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day clock, a law Congress passed over Nixon’s veto to rein in presidents who start wars without congressional approval. Now that clock has run out, and Trump faces a clear legal mandate to end hostilities or secure congressional authorization. Instead, he seems poised to double down, making this already illegal war triply illegal.

From day one, the Iran war has violated the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress—not the president—the power to declare war. This safeguard exists to prevent a single leader from dragging the nation into conflict on a whim. The decision to wage war belongs to the politically accountable, deliberative branch of government, not one man acting unilaterally.

The war also breaches international law under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which forbids the use of force except in self-defense or with Security Council approval. Neither condition applies here. This is a war of aggression, and the global community’s reluctance to support the U.S. operation reflects that reality.

On top of these constitutional and international law violations, Trump’s failure to end the conflict within the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day limit adds a third layer of illegality. The law requires the president to terminate unauthorized hostilities after 60 days unless Congress approves continued action. Trump has neither sought such approval nor signaled any intention to withdraw forces. Instead, he recently deployed a third aircraft carrier strike group and hinted at expanding military operations.

While past presidents have tried to sidestep the War Powers Resolution through legal gymnastics—claiming ongoing authorization from previous conflicts or narrowly defining “hostilities”—none have so blatantly ignored the statute’s clear deadline in an ongoing war. Trump’s disregard for this legal framework underscores his view that laws do not constrain his use of military force.

This triply illegal war is not just a constitutional crisis; it’s a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic accountability and international norms. The Trump administration’s actions demand urgent scrutiny and resistance from Congress and the public to uphold the rule of law and prevent unchecked executive war-making power.