Sanders: 'Can’t think of anything dumber than allowing Congress' to control foreign policy
WASHINGTON – Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders stated during a Fox News interview Thursday that she "can't think of anything dumber than allowing Congress to take over our foreign policy."
Sanders, now a Fox News contributor, was asked about a House resolution which would limit President Donald Trump's ability to wage war with Iran, with a Fox and Friend co-host saying, "the president yesterday said the U.S. is ready to embrace peace" and wondering why, then, "the House putting up this resolution to try to limit the president's powers?”
More: House votes to limit Trump's ability to wage war with Iran after Soleimani killing
“You know, I can’t think of anything dumber than allowing Congress to take over our foreign policy,” Sanders vented. “They can’t seem to manage to get much of anything done. I think the last thing we want to do is push powers into Congress’ hands and take them away from the president."
The president's decision to order an airstrike late last week that killed a top Iranian military general, Qasem Soleimani, was retaliated with missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing American and coalition troops by Iran Tuesday.
Trump threatened Iran with additional sanctions and said his administration is considering its "options" in an address to the nation Wednesday. He also appeared to offer the Iranians an olive branch, signaling the United States does not seek a war with Tehran.
Exclusive: Americans say Soleimani's killing made US less safe, Trump 'reckless' on Iran
Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., quipped on twitter that Sanders "can’t think of anything dumber than the Constitution" in response to her comments.
Sarah Sanders can’t think of anything dumber than the Constitution. https://t.co/XmODOrcq1a
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 9, 2020
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution describes that Congress has the power “to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water, to raise and support armies and... to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.”
Trump administration officials have cited Congress' 2002 authorization for war in Iraq as providing justification for the strike on Soleimani.
Section 3 of 2002 AUMF states that the President "is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to — (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq."
Rep. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was indignant that the 2002 AUMF against Iraq and its former president, Saddam Hussein, would be applicable as justification for Soleimani.
“They have justified the killing of an Iranian general as being something that Congress gave them permission to do in 2002,” Paul stated. “That is absurd. That’s an insult.”
Sanders maintained that “Any Democrat that doesn’t understand that America is safer now that one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world is rotting in hell is completely naive and completely misses what we need to have in a foreign policy. And the last thing I want to do is take power away from Trump and put it into their own hands."
“I don’t think anything can be worse for America than that," she stated.
The House's resolution would limit Trump's power regarding Iran and emphasizes that if the president desires to take the United States to war, he must get authorization from Congress.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia has introduced a similar resolution in the Senate. That has been largely supported by Democrats, and even some Republicans.
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, whenever military forces are engaged in conflict outside U.S. borders without congressional authorization, the passage of a resolution such as the ones under consideration in the House and Senate can force their withdrawal.
Trump tweeted, "Hope that all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution."
Hope that all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution. Also, remember her “speed & rush” in getting the Impeachment Hoax voted on & done. Well, she never sent the Articles to the Senate. Just another Democrat fraud. Presidential Harassment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2020
Contributing: Nicholas Wu, Christal Hayes, David Jackson, Courtney Subramanian, John Fritze, Tom Vanden Brook
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sanders on Fox and Friend: Dumb for Congress to control foreign policy
