Trump told Congress that hostilities "have terminated" • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• 1973 War Powers Act: A federal law intended to check the U.S. President's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress.
• Hostilities: Active military engagement or exchange of fire between opposing forces.
• Ceasefire: A temporary suspension of fighting, which the executive branch argues pauses the statutory clock for congressional authorization.
• Strait of Hormuz: A strategic waterway and critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, currently under a U.S. blockade.

Termination of Hostilities with Iran

The White House officially notified U.S. congressional leaders on Friday that the war with Iran has been "terminated." According to the administration, there has been no exchange of fire between U.S. forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities, which officially commenced on February 28, 2026, are now considered concluded by the executive branch.

The 60-Day War Powers Act Deadline

The timing of this announcement coincides with the 60-day limit mandated by the 1973 War Powers Act. This legislation requires the President to obtain congressional approval to continue combat operations beyond 60 days; otherwise, the U.S. is legally obligated to withdraw its troops.

• Presidential Stance: President Donald Trump has refused to seek congressional approval, labeling the requirement "totally unconstitutional." He further questioned the patriotism of those demanding adherence to the Act, stating, "These are not patriotic people that are asking."
• The Ceasefire Argument: The U.S. Secretary of Defense argued that the current ceasefire period effectively "pauses or stops" the 60-day clock. The administration maintains that because active fighting has ceased, the legal deadline for congressional authorization is not currently triggered.

Congressional Opposition and Legal Disputes

Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have challenged the administration’s interpretation of the War Powers Act:

• Disputed Extensions: While some lawmakers suggest that military action could be extended for an additional 30 days, Democrats have rejected the administration's claim that a ceasefire pauses the 60-day clock.
• The Strait of Hormuz: Democrats argue that the war is not truly over, citing the ongoing U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of continued military involvement.
• Chuck Schumer’s Position: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer publicly criticized the White House’s approach, characterizing the military engagement as an "illegal" war and rejecting the administration's legal justifications for bypassing Congress.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The situation represents a significant constitutional standoff between the executive and legislative branches regarding the limits of presidential war-making powers. While the White House claims the conflict has ended to avoid the legal requirements of the 1973 War Powers Act, congressional leaders argue that the administration is attempting to circumvent constitutional checks and balances. The core of the dispute rests on whether a ceasefire constitutes a formal end to hostilities and whether the executive branch can unilaterally pause the statutory clock for congressional oversight.