Just in: “Obama and Trump launched airstrikes without congressional war approval”

DDM News

In 2016, then-President Barack Obama authorized the release of approximately 26,171 bombs across seven countries, a decision that reignited discussions over presidential war powers and the constitutional role of the U.S. Congress in authorizing military action.

According to data compiled by the Council on Foreign Relations, the Obama administration’s military operations spanned Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan.

These bombing campaigns were largely conducted under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), a post-9/11 mandate meant to target terrorist groups, but whose application has since broadened dramatically.

Critics argued that Obama overstepped his executive authority by expanding military operations without seeking renewed or specific congressional approval for each conflict theater.

Supporters countered that the strikes were necessary for national security, particularly in combating ISIS and other extremist groups destabilizing the Middle East and North Africa.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) notes that Obama, who entered office promising a more diplomatic foreign policy, significantly ramped up the use of drone strikes and air campaigns during his tenure, especially in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Nearly a decade later, President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025 under a wave of nationalist and hardline foreign policy rhetoric, authorized the dropping of 36 bombs on Iranian nuclear sites.

The attacks came amid heightened tensions with Tehran following failed diplomatic talks and alleged Iranian non-compliance with nuclear monitoring protocols.

The airstrikes were launched without congressional authorization, reviving concerns about unilateral presidential use of military force in volatile regions.

Observers noted the strategic targeting of Iran’s Natanz and Fordow facilities, signaling an escalation that risked triggering broader regional conflict.

Critics, including members of Congress from both parties, accused Trump of bypassing democratic oversight and potentially violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires the president to consult with lawmakers before committing armed forces to hostilities.

The White House defended the action, citing imminent threats and the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

Analysts from the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace expressed concern over the precedent set by both administrations, warning of a growing trend in executive overreach in matters of war and peace.

Despite differences in ideology, both Obama and Trump used military force abroad without full congressional debate or new legal mandates tailored to the specific conflicts.

The developments have reignited calls among lawmakers and civil society groups to reform the AUMF and restore congressional authority in decisions involving the use of military force.

As debates rage on, the human and geopolitical consequences of such actions continue to unfold across the globe.

Kindly share 🙏

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook