The Military Power of the President

Ever since the founding of our country over two hundred years ago, the United States has been involved in several hundred wars and other military operations. Although the Constitution authorizes the Congress to declare war, more often the president, acting without congressional approval, was the one who authorized the military engagements.

For some people, such action by the president is legitimized both by the Constitution and by precedent. But for others, such action amounts to unjustified - even illegal - usurpation of what is or should be the sole right of the Congress.