Military Operations Without Congressional Approval? Trump's 'Congress Bypassing' Intensifies

Republicans Remain Silent in Support
Democrats Ask, "Is the President Above the Law?"

U.S. President Donald Trump's "Congress bypassing" is becoming increasingly pronounced.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 6th (local time) that President Trump has continued to exercise full executive authority as the head of the administration, disregarding the oversight and approval powers of the legislative branch.

A prime example is the recent bombing of a drug transport vessel in the Caribbean, which was carrying 11 members of the Venezuelan drug cartel Trendearagua (TdA). Such military operations require congressional approval, but the Trump administration neither reported to Congress nor sought approval before sinking the Venezuelan drug vessel.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Experts point out that while the president, as commander-in-chief, holds broad military powers, there is little legal basis for military actions conducted outside U.S. borders without congressional approval.

Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat, Connecticut) criticized, "The president does not have the authority to order airstrikes outside U.S. territorial waters without congressional approval," adding, "President Trump seems to believe he is above the law."

The Democratic Party also claims that information is being concealed from Congress to an even greater extent. Recently, the Department of Defense blocked Senator Mark Warner (Democrat, Virginia), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, from visiting the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The Defense Department insisted that military intelligence facilities must be visited by lawmakers from both parties together, but according to the Democrats, such a condition had not existed previously.

There is also growing dissatisfaction that members of the Trump administration are disregarding Congress to an unacceptable degree. Last month, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. abruptly dismissed the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and effectively restricted access to COVID-19 vaccines, which is cited as another major example. Known as a "vaccine conspiracy theorist," Secretary Kennedy had reassured senators during his confirmation hearing by promising not to make vaccine access more difficult, but reportedly broke this promise immediately after being confirmed.

In addition, President Trump has declared that he will not execute the $4.9 billion (6.8 trillion won) international aid budget approved by Congress. While budget cuts require congressional approval, President Trump has stated his intention to let the funds expire automatically at the end of the fiscal year without a congressional vote.

Despite these developments, the leadership of the ruling Republican Party remains silent toward President Trump. Some within the party openly defend him, arguing that he is legitimately exercising his authority to keep the vast federal bureaucracy in check. Senator John Barrasso (Republican, Wyoming) said, "I am deeply concerned about Secretary Kennedy's actions regarding vaccines," but the Republican leadership is not preparing any official response, such as a hearing. Representative Jason Crow (Democrat, Colorado), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, pointed out, "The Republican Party has surrendered and is not trying to assert its authority."