Unrelenting Trump critic says why he was wrong to eliminate the bushy bearded, now dead guy and his pals in Iran

Chennai, India-born Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) attacked President Donald J. Trump's decision to attack and quickly eliminate the bushy-bearded Shi'a cleric and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other Islamic Republic Guard Corps (the 's' is silent) in Iran.

"Trump killed the religious and spiritual leader of Iran," Rep. Jayapal said, carefully leaving out the President's title. "He seemed nice with his cute hat and bushy beard. I don't understand why Trump had him eliminated."

The congresswoman defended her Iran War Powers vote:  "Congress alone has power to declare war," warning of long-term consequences and adding it "shouldn’t be partisan." 

The last time Congress formally declared war was on June 4, 1942 and Jayapal asked, "Isn't it about time Congress did again? We do so little during the year it's about time we earned our money legally."

Since the United States was formed back in 1776, Congress has formally declared war 11 times across five conflicts since the Constitution adoption in 1789:

War of 1812: Great Britain (1812)
Mexican-American War: Mexico (1846)
Spanish-American War: Spain (1898)
World War I: Germany (1917) and Austria-Hungary (1917)
World War II: Japan (1941), Germany (1941), Italy (1941), and Bulgaria/Hungary/Romania (1942)

The House voted on a Democrat-led Iran War Powers Resolution designed to limit President Trump's  [aka The Commander-in-Chief] military authority in Tehran. This brings to the forefront once again, the issue over executive powers and what level a president must consult with the loose-lips of members of Congress before waging military strikes. 

If passed, Trump would have to end the use of U.S. troops against Iran and thus allow the regime to continue killing Iranian civilians, as it currently appears to be the case.

Republicans, meanwhile, maintain that the White House is acting within its authority in the best interests of the country and of the remaining Iranian people who have not been killed for protesting the theocratic dictatorship they live under.

And while Jayapal is consistent in her efforts to give Congress the power that Commanders-in-Chief had in the past, others like Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) supported former President Joe Biden's attack on Syria.

For those keeping score, here is a short list by Grok of past presidents who bypassed Congress to use military force: 

Harry S. Truman (1945–1953): Korean War (1950–1953) — Truman committed US troops under UN auspices to repel North Korea's invasion of South Korea, without a declaration of war (often called a "police action").

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969) and Richard Nixon (1969–1974): Vietnam War escalation (major US combat from 1965–1973) — Johnson used the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964) as authorization to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops; combat continued under Nixon.

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989): Invasion of Grenada (1983, Operation Urgent Fury) — Troops deployed to restore order and protect US citizens after a coup.

George H.W. Bush (1989–1993): Invasion of Panama (1989, Operation Just Cause) — Troops sent to depose Manuel Noriega and protect US interests. Also initiated Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1990–1991 Gulf War) — Large-scale deployment to liberate Kuwait from Iraq, authorized by Congress and UN.

Bill Clinton (1993–2001): Interventions in Somalia (ongoing from Bush era but combat under Clinton), Haiti (1994, Operation Uphold Democracy), Bosnia (1995 NATO bombing/air campaign), and Kosovo (1999 NATO bombing campaign) — US forces engaged in combat roles, often under NATO/UN frameworks without new congressional war declarations.

George W. Bush (2001–2009): War in Afghanistan (2001–2021, Operation Enduring Freedom) — Invasion to oust Taliban and pursue al-Qaeda post-9/11, authorized by 2001 AUMF. Iraq War (2003–2011, Operation Iraqi Freedom) — Invasion to remove Saddam Hussein, authorized by 2002 AUMF.

Barack Obama (2009–2017): Escalated drone strikes and special operations in multiple countries; 2011 Libya intervention (NATO-led air campaign with US combat role); expanded operations against ISIS in Iraq/Syria (2014 onward, under 2001 AUMF).

Other presidents (e.g., Eisenhower, Kennedy, Ford, Carter, Biden) authorized combat in limited contexts (e.g., Lebanon 1958/1982–1983 under Eisenhower/Reagan, or ongoing counterterrorism under Biden), but often smaller-scale or continuations of prior conflicts. 

None of them asked for permission.

So there you have it--hypocrisy on the Hill. 

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