Columnist Eugene Robinson is so right in “Congress needs to reclaim its war-making powers” (Oct. 27, The Columbian). The president “urgently needs to tell Congress and the American people what we’re doing in Niger, and where else we’re doing it.” He is exactly right when he says “The Constitution gives Congress, and only Congress, the authority to declare war.” I couldn’t agree more. Some presidents seem to habitually overstep their authority.
Finally, Robinson concludes that “It’s past time for the people’s representatives in Congress to give Trump and the generals their marching orders.” Bingo. The only thing I don’t understand is why he expects President Donald Trump to explain why President Obama sent the troops to Niger in January 2013? It seems like Obama should have explained that. Well, better to be outraged at the wrong person than not at all, eh?