Trump Avoids 'War' Label in Iran Conflict

0:00On March 26, President Donald Trump revealed he's steering clear of calling the conflict in Iran a war to avoid needing approval from Congress. During a speech on March 25 at a Republican fundraising dinner, he explained that using the term war could trigger legal requirements under the war power's resolution. Instead, his administration has stuck to phrases like military operation or combat action for the strikes that kicked off on February 28. That resolution from 1973 limits presidents from sending troops into hostilities without quick notification to Congress, and a deadline for withdrawal and mislaw makers authorize it. Even so, the Republican-led Congress recently shot down measures to curb the actions with the House voting 212 to 219, and the Senate 47 to 53 against them. Reactions have been sharp, with critics accusing the White House of downplaying a real war through flashy social media videos that make it look like a video game.

1:00Some of Trump's own supporters feel let down, pointing out promises of no new wars while he pushes goals from curving nuclear programs to regime. Change after the death of Iran's top leader. Trump has repeatedly claimed the fight is already won or wrapped up quickly despite fresh Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities and American faces. He's also floated ideas like talks making great progress, though Iranian officials deny any contact, and he once mixed up incursion with excursion. This all ties into his broader push last year to rename the Department of Defense back to the Department of War, highlighting how language shapes the ongoing push in the region. That's your entertainment and celebrity news today update, AI-powered and always trending.