Source: Tenth Amendment Center
by Mike Maharrey
“Many people believe presidents have a great deal of authority to make unilateral decisions about war without the approval of Congress. To support this conclusion, they often point to actions taken by early presidents such as John Adams. But this narrative doesn’t stand up to the facts. Not even close. During America’s Quasi-War with France, Adams asked Congress for permission to take offensive military actions on multiple occasions, and in order to stay within the bounds of the Constitution’s war powers, he closely followed the limitations and boundaries that Congress set.” (08/26/24)