Adam Schiff: Trump ‘Absolutely Not’ Following War Powers Law

Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said President Donald Trump was “absolutely not” following the War Powers Act.

Host Kristen Welker said, “President Trump, as you know, sent a letter to Congress arguing he does not need congressional approval because the ceasefire paused the clock effectively. Do you think the administration is following the law?”

Schiff said, “No. Absolutely not. And it’s important to recognize that this war was unlawful, unconstitutional from the start. We didn’t have to wait 60 days to reach that conclusion, because under the Constitution, only Congress can initiate, authorize or declare war. The only exceptions are if the United States is attacked or there’s an imminent threat of attack, then the president can take action in the near term. That’s when the 60-day clock begins. If there’s a legitimate reason to begin the war at the start, and there wasn’t here.