(RightWing.org) – Congress and presidents frequently clash over war powers. The Constitution grants Congress the power to “declare” war, but presidents have blurred the meaning of what counts as war. George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama all used military force without congressional approval.
Concerned about Biden doing the same things and possibly starting a nuclear war, 31 House Democrats signed a letter to Joe Biden asking him to give up sole authority to launch nuclear weapons.
Nearly three dozen House Democrats on Monday called on Biden to relinquish his sole authority to launch nuclear weapons, in the latest appeal to reform the command-and-control structure so that no single person can initiate a nuclear war https://t.co/AOIHaYf1b4 pic.twitter.com/OSKJ64d3cW
— POLITICO (@politico) February 23, 2021
Spearheaded by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), the February 22 letter warned that past presidents threatened to use nuclear weapons or “exhibited behavior,” raising alarms about their judgment. “Presumably,” a president would “consult with advisors” before ordering the use of nuclear weapons, the letter continued. However, there is “no requirement to do so.”
The letter offered alternatives like requiring others in the line of succession, like the vice president and the House speaker, to agree to a nuclear launch order.
Ironically, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) expressed concern about an “unhinged president” launching a nuclear strike in the waning days of Donald Trump’s presidency and no one took action. But now, just over a month into Joe Biden’s administration, his own party is asking him to give up control. Maybe they don’t trust him to use good judgment and make good decisions? Maybe they should have thought of that before nominating him.
Copyright 2021, RightWing.org
