JUST IN: President Trump will make his final decision on whether to join the war against Iran within the next couple of weeks.

The announcement was made by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who quoted Trump.

"Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations… pic.twitter.com/rPkSz3QIdC

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 19, 2025

Quote:

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The War Powers Act was passed to check the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval, especially after the Vietnam War.
It allows the president to:
[ol]

Deploy U.S. armed forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities only:

• After a declaration of war by Congress;
• With specific statutory authorization (e.g., Authorization for Use of Military Force AUMF);
• Or in a national emergency created by an attack on the U.S., its territories, possessions, or armed forces.

Notify Congress within 48 hours of committing troops.

Use forces for only 60 days (plus a 30-day withdrawal period) without further Congressional authorization.

[/ol]

The President cannot declare war only Congress can.

The President can use military force temporarily, but must notify Congress and obtain approval to continue beyond 60 days.

The War Powers Act limits the president's unilateral military actions, aiming to restore Congress's constitutional authority over war.

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do you think he'll listen to his citizens, advisors and congressmen..... or just do what his "allies" tell him what to do?

Hopefully we stay out of it and just cheer on Israel from afar while we eat popcorn.

Krombopulos Michael said:

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JUST IN: President Trump will make his final decision on whether to join the war against Iran within the next couple of weeks.

The announcement was made by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who quoted Trump.

"Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations… pic.twitter.com/rPkSz3QIdC

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 19, 2025

Quote:

---

The War Powers Act was passed to check the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval, especially after the Vietnam War.
It allows the president to:
[ol]

Deploy U.S. armed forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities only:

• After a declaration of war by Congress;
• With specific statutory authorization (e.g., Authorization for Use of Military Force AUMF);
• Or in a national emergency created by an attack on the U.S., its territories, possessions, or armed forces.

Notify Congress within 48 hours of committing troops.

Use forces for only 60 days (plus a 30-day withdrawal period) without further Congressional authorization.

[/ol]

The President cannot declare war only Congress can.

The President can use military force temporarily, but must notify Congress and obtain approval to continue beyond 60 days.

The War Powers Act limits the president's unilateral military actions, aiming to restore Congress's constitutional authority over war.

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do you think he'll listen to his citizens, advisors and congressmen..... or just do what his "allies" tell him what to do?

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Listen to what citizens? The ones saying bomb Iran or the ones saying don't?

2 weeks?

I have pretty high confidence Israel can do this on their own over the next 2 weeks. That would be great as we don't need to get drawn into this anymore than we are.

Aggie95 said:

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2 weeks?

I have pretty high confidence Israel can do this on their own over the next 2 weeks. That would be great as we don't need to get drawn into this anymore than we are.

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The Iranians are completely ass-out due to Israel's strikes. Plans are drawn up, but Trump is showing restraint.

Good Trump.

Give credit where credit is due.

If Israel told him they have the means to take out the bunker without the US this is the prudent move. If for whatever reason that should fail then we may have another look at it. Or Iran actually capitulates or their people rise up and oust the current regime.

Two weeks! Stop the spread of Islam!

The man who wanted us out of endless wars is threatening to start an endless war.

Bad Trump. Potentially, soon to be disastrous Trump.

Single handedly ruining any GOP candidate's chance to win in 2028.

thank goodness you started the 14th separate thread on what the USA should do with Iran!

Krombopulos Michael said:

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.... or just do what his "allies" tell him what to do?

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Tell me you know nothing about how Trump operates without telling you know nothing about how Trump operates.

LMCane said:

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thank goodness you started the 14th separate thread on what the USA should do with Iran!

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It's a declaration of war. It's not his choice to make on his own.

Go cheerlead somewhere else unless you can add something constructive......

78% of the American public are on board that Iran CANNOT obtain a functional nuclear weapon.

This isn't a controversial topic outside of anti-Semitic circles.

Trump has been steadfast that Ian must never obtain a nuclear bomb since at least 2016.

So we will either support Israel diplomatically behind the scenes or the B2s go to work. Can the B1 carry the MOP? This facilities will be destroyed by force or one piece at a time as part of an unconditional surrender.

NoahAg said:

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The man who wanted us out of endless wars is threatening to start an endless war.

Bad Trump. Potentially, soon to be disastrous Trump.

Single handedly ruining any GOP candidate's chance to win in 2028.

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Trump knows the minute he responds militarily to anything other than an outright declared attack by Iran on a US military base - he will be impeached, and it will be a bi-partisan effort (yes far less R than D but R participation none the less).

Trump can see the polls.

If we haven't attacked yet, I think the chances we do decrease significantly by the day as we go on.

I'll almost surely be wrong since I typed it, but thats how I feel.

If that's true, he should have no problem asking congress for a declaration of war.

It's not up to him to make alone.

Krombopulos Michael said:

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LMCane said:

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thank goodness you started the 14th separate thread on what the USA should do with Iran!

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It's a declaration of war. It's not his choice to make on his own.

Go cheerlead somewhere else unless you can add something constructive......

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When is the last time Congress declared war? WWII?

NoahAg said:

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The man who wanted us out of endless wars is threatening to start an endless war.

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False!

Martin Q. Blank said:

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Krombopulos Michael said:

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LMCane said:

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thank goodness you started the 14th separate thread on what the USA should do with Iran!

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It's a declaration of war. It's not his choice to make on his own.

Go cheerlead somewhere else unless you can add something constructive......

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When is the last time Congress declared war? WWII?

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Yes but it has authorized the US military to deploy against multiple countries since stopping short of declaring war.

Yes.

Krombopulos Michael said:

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If that's true, he should have no problem asking congress for a declaration of war.

It's not up to him to make alone.

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Like when he B2d the Houthis that were harassing international shipping in the Red Sea?

A president loses their negotiating position when they commit to act. My hope is that Trump views this as a leverage play and is keeping the "will he / won't he" alive for that purpose while Israel keeps working through their target list.

NoahAg said:

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The man who wanted us out of endless wars is threatening to start an endless war.

Bad Trump. Potentially, soon to be disastrous Trump.

Single handedly ruining any GOP candidate's chance to win in 2028.

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Explain to me how dropping a couple bunker busters on nuclear facilities is starting an endless war.

Krombopulos Michael said:

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If that's true, he should have no problem asking congress for a declaration of war.

It's not up to him to make alone.

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Like I asked Noah, why do we need to declare war on Iran? If Trump authorizes anything, it will be to drop a few bombs that the Israelis aren't equipped to deliver. We're not putting boots on the ground over there. There's no need.

Its weird that left is pro war now.

Trump is just saber rattling with this two week deadline, seeing what Iran does or says.

I'll be shocked if we don't mop up the nuclear sites Israel can't finish off with its current ordinance and delivery systems.

The hemming and hawing is just theater and making it look like we were forced by Iranian intransigence on the diplomatic front.

This was the playbook all along assuming Israel wiped the floor with Iran, which it has.

Regime change would have to come from within given there will be no boots on the ground. So hopefully our engagement will be limited to those strikes on the nuclear facilities.

Unless it's too completely take out the entire regime and give the Iranians a new government and way of living they had half a century ago, I don't see why we should get that involved. Where we're at now with what we support Israel with to do what they're doing.

But, if Trump decides to actually put an end to the Iranian regime that's been more of a never ending eventual threat, then let's do it and Godspeed.

Trump already owns this. The initial phase was a joint Israel-US operation with an Israel face. Israel was given the green light to go ahead by Trump and the attacks were done in coordination with US intelligence and assistance.

There's no doubt about this.

We are at this phase because of Trump. He created this situation.

Aggie95 said:

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2 weeks?

I have pretty high confidence Israel can do this on their own over the next 2 weeks. That would be great as we don't need to get drawn into this anymore than we are.

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Not Fordow.

shiftyandquick said:

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We are at this phase because of Trump. He created this situation.

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Good Trump.

shiftyandquick said:

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Trump already owns this. The initial phase was a joint Israel-US operation with an Israel face. Israel was given the green light to go ahead by Trump and the attacks were done in coordination with US intelligence and assistance.

There's no doubt about this.

We are at this phase because of Trump. He created this situation.

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What would you have done differently?

I think Trump is wisely cautious here. Based on how far Israel has already reduced Iranian defenses and nuke facilities, two weeks seems like enough time to let the Israeli plan continue and see if they can muster a solution to Fordow and if the Iranian people will show any sign of rising up to change regimes.

aginlakeway said:

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shiftyandquick said:

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Trump already owns this. The initial phase was a joint Israel-US operation with an Israel face. Israel was given the green light to go ahead by Trump and the attacks were done in coordination with US intelligence and assistance.

There's no doubt about this.

We are at this phase because of Trump. He created this situation.

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What would you have done differently?

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For one I would have appointed competent skilled Sec of Defense and National Director of Intelligence. Not two useless buffoons.

A declaration of war like when Obama asked and received a declaration of war before he drone striked a US citizen (without due process, mind you)?

Slicer97 said:

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NoahAg said:

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The man who wanted us out of endless wars is threatening to start an endless war.

Bad Trump. Potentially, soon to be disastrous Trump.

Single handedly ruining any GOP candidate's chance to win in 2028.

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Explain to me how dropping a couple bunker busters on nuclear facilities is starting an endless war.

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Retaliation. Mission creep. Emergent concerns. War hawk politicians & generals.

Consider Vietnam.

Once you take the most definitive step, every subsequent step is easier.

ETA: ever play "just the tip"? That's how.

Aggie95 said:

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2 weeks?

I have pretty high confidence Israel can do this on their own over the next 2 weeks. That would be great as we don't need to get drawn into this anymore than we are.

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Not without boots on the ground, I fear. The mullahs can hide from bombs all day long. If Israel doesn't do that, then they have to hope that the people revolt.