Whose choice is it to go to war?

Question

Hi again, in the United States is it the governments choice, or the militarys choice? I am pretty sure it is the President but I wanna be sure since none of the search engines are helping.

Answer 1

The President of the United States, by virtue of his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is authorized to mobilize troops and deploy them overseas for certain operations, but the President cannot declare war on any group or country -- that requires the approval of Congress. The Armed Forces has no say in these matters. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leaders can decide how operations will be conducted but they cannot invade other countries or carry out operations against terrorist groups without approval from either the President or Congress.

Answer 2

The president can send troops in limited amounts. Congress can authorize the use of troops and treasury in larger operations be them declared or undeclared wars.

Many times, the United States has engaged in extended military engagements that, while not formally declared wars, were explicitly authorized by Congress, short of a formal declaration of war.


This is interesting:
Alberto Gonzales in senate hearing on the War Powers Act: There was not a war declaration, either in connection with Al Qaida or in Iraq. It was an authorization to use military force. I only want to clarify that, because there are implications. Obviously, when you talk about a war declaration, you're possibly talking about affecting treaties, diplomatic relations. And so there is a distinction in law and in practice. And we're not talking about a war declaration. This is an authorization only to use military force.

Answer 3

Only the Congress of the US can declare war. The president, as commander in chief, can send troops. This is always subject to the War Powers Act.

Answer 4

As stated above Congress is the only ones that can officially declare war. However the President can send troops were ever to fight.

Answer 5

It is supposed to be Congress. If you read the Constitution, it says only Congress can declare war, but apparently Congress no longer wants to get involved. The executive branch has usurped this power. Now, the president does pretty much what he likes.

Answer 6

The democrat plan is to get the troops out today. That is according to what at least 42% of the American public voted for. Never mind that it would destabilize the middle east, disrupt the supply of oil, sky rocket the price of gas exponentially, cause economic disaster across the globe and provide a safe haven for terrorist to launch attacks against us. The American public is so wise aren't they?

Answer 7

It is Congress who declares war.

Answer 8

Matlab, you are so correct...