Democrats must defund Trump’s imperial war | David Sirota, Jared Jacang Maher, Laura Krantz and Ron S Doyle

The Guardian US News
by David Sirota, Jared Jacang Maher, Laura Krantz and Ron S Doyle
March 10, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Authors argue Congress should use budgetary powers to halt Trump's unauthorized military operations.

How This Affects You

Military actions in multiple countries could affect families with service members and regional stability.

AI Summary

David Sirota, Jared Jacang Maher, Laura Krantz and Ron S Doyle argue that Donald Trump has ordered military attacks on more countries than any prior president, launching bombings and incursions without congressional authorization in violation of the constitution. The authors contend that Trump is exercising imperial powers concentrated in the executive branch by previous presidents and courts, including what they describe as a "wildly unpopular Iran incursion." They argue that Congress's power of the purse is the only effective weapon to stop Trump's military actions, citing US supreme court chief justice John Roberts' 1985 statement as a Reagan administration lawyer that spending authority is "clearly the province of Congress." The authors suggest Democrats should use this budgetary power to defund Trump's military operations.

What's Being Done

Authors propose Democrats defund Trump's military actions through congressional spending authority.

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