The Justice Department told Congress that President Trump can legally continue drone strikes on suspected drug smugglers at sea beyond the 60 day limit that had been set by the War Powers Resolution, they claimed that the operation doesn’t constitute “hostilities” because they do put American troops at risk. As they are conducted remotely by drones far from the U.S. troops. This reasoning is similar to the Obama administration's argument in 2011 for air operations over Libya. Although Trump’s actions go further by using the idea to unilateral U.S. drone strikes rather than a NATO-led mission,
The War Powers Resolution, passed after the Vietnam War, was meant to ensure that Congress retains authority over war decisions, requiring presidents to end unauthorized hostels after 60 days. However, presidents of both parties have reinterpreted this law, by either obtaining funding, redefining “hostilies”, or arguing for constitutional powers. Trump’s move deepens a decades-long erosion of the Resolution’s constraints, further entrenching the precedent that airstrikes, especially those conducted remotely with little risk to U.S. troops, that do not trigger the 60-day limit meant to limit presidential war powers.
