No one will be citing US President Lyndon Johnson's actions in Vietnam as a result of his interpretations of the US Constitution or based on the thoughts of the Founding Fathers. Johnson was a man of action. He and his many supporters were pleased with Johnson as a man who "got things done". His advisors in the State Department however, did take the scholarly stance by looking back in US history and stretching it a bit to fit the modern world. With that said, there was more than one rational for armed intervention in Vietnam.
Johnson's advisors sought to deflect his critics by citing at least 125 instances when the chief executive had to take matters into his own hands to protect the nation.
In 1787, the Framers reserved for the President the power to repel sudden attacks, then the world was a far larger place and no doubt they had in mind attacks against the borders of the US.
The US Department of State, as the US Supreme Court has a habit of doing, stressed that in this new modern world, an attack on a nation far from our shores can impinge directly on the US's national security. What then follows in the world of "new think" or better said by George Orwell and "new speak", is a vast and long war to protect the interests of the US.
This is an observation, not a criticism or words of support for Johnson's actions. And, the US has not been alone in matters such as this.
For a moment, use an extreme to make a point. Was the occupation of the Falkland Islands a necessity for the UK's security?
John Hancock
Declaration of Independence
John Hancock, for both.
The speech was before the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C., December 8, 1941. Background: The President of the United States does not have the power to "declare war." The U.S. Constitution reserves that power to the Congress. As Commander in Chief, the President has some powers -- or has assumed some powers -- to use military action, but a "declaration of war" is in the hands of the Congress. In that famous speech, FDR asked Congress for a declaration of war: "I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire." When Congress issued the declaration, FDR, as President, signed it.
John Hancock, for both.
The majority party wets the rules for conducting business in Congress.
john Hancock
I think that both Congress and the president should have power in conducting foreign affairs. Some powers are not listed in the Constitution but both the president and Congress should have some exclusive foreign policy powers.
John Hancock
John Hancock
The declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
A true declaration of war can only be done by congress.
I think that both Congress and the president should have power in conducting foreign affairs. Some powers are not listed in the Constitution but both the president and Congress should have some exclusive foreign policy powers.
No one. The United States was not a country yet. However, John Hancock was President of the Continental Congress when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
First, only Congress can delcare war. The President can ask for a declaration of war from Congress. The first President was James Madison. He was president at the start of the War of 1812
A US President does not have the right to declare war. The most he/she can do in that respect is to request a declaration of war from Congress, to legally persuade members of Congress to vote for the declaration, and to request others to legally persuade members of Congress to vote for the decalration. Congress did vote in favor of the declaration of war, but it was by the smallest margin of any declaration of war in US history.