Trump Tells Congress Why He Doesn’t Need Its Authorization for the Iran War

THE NEW YORK TIMES: In letters to the House and Senate, the president asserted that the hostilities had “terminated,” in an apparent attempt to avoid having to seek congressional approval.

President Trump sent letters to Congress on Friday making the case that a Vietnam-era law requiring him to seek congressional authorization to continue military operations in Iran did not apply because the conflict was in a cease-fire.

In the letters — sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the president pro tempore of the Senate — Mr. Trump said that he was writing to inform them “of changes in the posture of United States Forces” and reiterated his administration’s position that a cease-fire he declared on April 7 had stopped the clock on the war.

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, if presidents deploy American forces into hostilities without congressional authorization, they must end the operation after 60 days if the legislative branch does not grant permission for the continued use of forces on the mission. The law also allows the president a single 30-day extension, but only to safely bring troops home, not to extend combat.

But Mr. Trump’s letters made the case that there had “been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7,” and that hostilities the United States and Israel began on Feb. 28 “have terminated,” in an apparent attempt to avoid having to seek congressional approval. He did not mention that U.S. forces fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on April 19. » | Erica L. Green and Megan Mineiro | Friday, May 1, 2026

King Charles III Addresses Joint Meeting of U.S. Congress

April 28, 2026 | Britain's King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

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King Charles Issues ‘Pretty Direct’ Warning to US Congress about Power without Checks and Balances

Apr 28, 2026 | "In terms of the UK-US relationship, I think he’s played a blinder."

King Charles made “very barbed” comments to the US Congress, reminding Americans that in their democracy, “executive power is subject to checks and balances”, says British diplomat and former Brexit counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, Alexandra Hall Hall.

Jonathan Dimbleby Responds to King Charles's “Political” Speech to US Congress

Apr 29, 2026 | There were some politically charged messages from King Charles in his address to the US Congress. Was President Trump listening? We speak to King Charles's biographer and friend Jonathan Dimbleby. Interview by Victoria Derbyshire.

King Charles Stresses Cooperation in Speech to Congress

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The British monarch’s trip is intended in part to repair strained U.S.-British ties. President Trump will host him and Queen Camilla for a state dinner at the White House.

King Charles III on Tuesday delivered an optimistic assessment of American-British relations at what is arguably their lowest point in decades, telling a joint meeting of Congress that the two countries had always found a way to come together.

“The very principle on which your Congress was founded — no taxation without representation — was at once a fundamental disagreement between us, and at the same time a shared democratic value which you inherited from us,” the king said. “Ours is a partnership born out of dispute.”

Charles did not directly refer to the current tensions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Mr. Trump has repeatedly belittled Mr. Starmer as a coward and mocked British aircraft carriers as nothing more than “toys” compared to America’s military armada.

But the king offered a genteel response of sorts. He noted his own service in the Royal Navy more than a half-century ago and repeated Mr. Starmer’s assertion that Britain had “committed to the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War.”

He also pushed back, ever so gently, against Mr. Trump’s angry attacks on Britain and on the NATO alliance for not joining in the Iran war. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the king told lawmakers, “We answered the call together — as our people have done so for more than a century.”

“Our defense, intelligence and security ties are hard-wired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades,” he said.

The king’s message to Congress is intended to advance his government’s priorities without ensnaring himself in the ongoing disputes between Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer. Live Updates » | Michael D. Shear, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Max Bearak Michael D. Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Washington. | Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Watch the NYT video here.

Sanders Shocks Senate: “Stop Funding Netanyahu!” Fiery Speech Goes Viral | Times Now World

April 16, 2026

‘Do Not Waste One Second of Our Precious Time…’: Jamie Raskin Goes Nuclear on Pam Bondi In Congress

February 11, 2026

Trump’s $250 Million White House Ballroom: Power, Ego, and Outrage - But Where’s Congress?

Oct 21, 2025 | Donald Trump is tearing down part of the White House to build a $250 million ballroom, a move that’s sparking outrage, disbelief, and serious questions about presidential power.

Why is Congress silent while a historic part of America’s most iconic building is being destroyed?

Tucker Carlson: George Santos Exposes the Alcoholism that Has Infected Congress

Jul 19, 2025

"Awful, Cheap and Tawdry": Steve Schmidt Reacts to Trump's Address to Congress | The Warning with Steve Schmidt

Mar 5, 2025 | Donald Trump spoke to a joint session of Congress last night and showed just how divided our country currently is. Steve Schmidt breaks down the lengthy address and shows which moments should concern us the most.

Democracy Now! "A Declaration of War Against the American People": Ralph Nader on Trump's Address to Congress

Mar 5, 2025 | President Donald Trump delivered the longest presidential address to a joint session of Congress in modern history Tuesday night, laying out his vision for the next four years as he defended his many executive actions to dismantle large portions of the federal government. For an hour and 40 minutes, Trump repeatedly lied and exaggerated his accomplishments and his opponents' failures, deploying racist and dehumanizing language to describe immigrants, LGBTQ people and his critics. Trump heaped praise on billionaire Elon Musk and his efforts to slash entire government agencies. The speech was "a declaration of war against the American people, including Trump voters, in favor of the super-rich and the giant corporations," says Ralph Nader, longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate.

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Sen. Sanders Responds to Trump's Congressional Address

Mar 5, 2025

This is the man who should be the president, not Trump! We would see a very different, much fairer America were he to be POTUS. He would turn Trump’s kleptocracy into an economy that serves the people, not the plutocrats. It is such a pity that the American electorate cannot come to its senses and elect him into the White House. – © Mark Alexander

Donald Trump Says He Is 'Just Getting Started' in Speech to US Congress | BBC News

Mar 5, 2025 | President Donald Trump has addressed a raucous joint session of the US Congress for the first time since he returned to power in January, declaring: "The American Dream is unstoppable."

In the longest presidential speech to lawmakers on record, he outlined his vision for his second term, as Republicans applauded a high-octane six weeks that has reshaped domestic and foreign policy.

Trump was heckled by Democrats and he goaded them in turn during the rowdy primetime speech.

The Republican president has moved to slash the federal workforce and crack down on immigration, while imposing tariffs on America's biggest trading partners and shaking up the trans-atlantic alliance over the war in Ukraine.

Full Speech: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Makes Address to Congress

ul 24, 2024 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to bolster U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas in a speech to Congress Wednesday that sparked boycotts by some top Democrats and drew thousands of protesters to the nation’s capital.

Netanyahu Delivers a Forceful Defense of Israel to Applause in Congress

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The symbolism of the speech by Israel’s leader was almost as notable as anything he said, as criticism of the country’s war in Gaza grows.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addressed a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol on Wednesday. | Kenny Holston/The New York Times
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday issued a full-throated defense of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, during an address to Congress that laid bare deep divisions in Washington over a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

In a speech in which he angrily pushed back on criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war that has cleaved the Democratic Party and disrupted American college campuses, Mr. Netanyahu linked Israel’s security directly to that of the United States, insisting: “We’re not only protecting ourselves; we’re protecting you.”

“Our enemies are your enemies; our fight is your fight; and our victory will be your victory,” Mr. Netanyahu said, emphasizing the strategic role of Israel in countering Iran. The fact of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech was almost as notable as anything he said. In the face of increasing international censure and dissent both in Israel and in the United States, Mr. Netanyahu was seeking to use Congress to lift his sagging political fortunes — and leaders in both parties obliged with a bipartisan invitation to receive him.

But in the House chamber as he spoke, there was clear evidence of how the longstanding bipartisan consensus to back Israel has eroded in Congress since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 and the offensive in Gaza that followed. Dozens of Democratic members, including two top senators and Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker, boycotted the speech. Vice President Kamala Harris declined to preside, as is traditional for the vice president, citing a scheduling conflict. » | Annie Karni, Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Ukraine Aid Is Investment Not Charity, President Zelensky Tells US Lawmakers - BBC News

Dec 22, 2022 | Ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, in an address to US lawmakers on his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion. US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in global security for the future, Mr Zelensky said. His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress. But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine "for as long as it takes", pledging a new $2bn (£1.7bn) aid package and promising a further $45bn (£37bn).

House January 6 Panel Recommends Criminal Charges against Donald Trump

THE GUARDIAN: The referral marks the first time in US history that Congress has taken such action against a former president


House January 6 panel recommends criminal charges against Donald Trump – video
The January 6 committee has referred Donald Trump to the justice department to face criminal charges, accusing the former president of fomenting an insurrection and conspiring against the government over his attempt to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election, and the bloody attack on the US Capitol.

The committee’s referrals approved by its members on Monday are the first time in American history that Congress has recommended charges against a former president. They come after more than a year of investigation by the bipartisan House of Representatives panel tasked with understanding Trump’s plot to stop Joe Biden from taking office.

“The committee believes that more than sufficient evidence exists for a criminal referral of former President Trump for assisting or aiding and comforting those at the Capitol who engaged in a violent attack on the United States,” Congressman Jamie Raskin said as the lawmakers held their final public meeting. » | Chris Stein in Washington | Monday, December 19, 2022

Robert Garcia Will Be First Out Gay Immigrant in Congress

Courtesy LGBTQ Victory Fund
ADVOCATE: Garcia, an immigrant from Peru and the mayor of Long Beach, Calif., has been elected to the U.S. House from California's 42nd Congressional District.

Robert Garcia of California has been elected as the first out gay immigrant in Congress.

Garcia, currently mayor of Long Beach, has won the U.S. House seat in California’s 42nd Congressional District, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

A Democrat, he bested Republican John Briscoe, a businessman. As of 9:30 p.m. Pacific time, Garcia had 68 percent of the vote and Briscoe 32 percent. Because of redistricting, there was no incumbent in the race. » | Trudy Ring | Wednesday, November 9, 2022

US elections: LGBTQ+ candidates smash through rainbow ceiling as future of queer rights hangs in the balance: Numerous LGBTQ+ candidates have smashed the rainbow ceiling and won seats in the 2022 US elections. »

Zelenskiy Calls for US to Send Aircraft to Ukraine in Video Call with US Congress

THE GUARDIAN: President made a ‘desperate plea’ for military aid to more than 280 senators and representatives as Congress works on $10bn package

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the US for planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidency Press Offic/Zuma Press Wire Service/Rex/Shutterstock
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, urged US lawmakers to help provide aircraft to defend the country against Russian invasion during a video meeting with members of Congress on Saturday.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said Zelenskiy “made a desperate plea” for the military aid, which would include planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. The Ukrainian president praised sanctions placed upon Russia during the meeting but pressed US lawmakers to go further by banning oil imports from Moscow.

“These planes are very much needed,” Schumer, a Democrat, said in a statement following the gathering of more than 280 senators and House of Representative members. “And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.” » | Oliver Milman in New York | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Saudi Lobbying in the US Under Spotlight after Khashoggi Murder | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Arabia has amassed one of the largest and best-funded lobbying operations in the US. The kingdom has spent millions of dollars to buy influence in Washington. But in the wake of the Khashoggi scandal, some PR firms are dropping Riyadh as a client. Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett reports from the White House.