Trump hasn’t ruled out a draft for war with Iran — but is conscription constitutional?

President Trump has not ruled out reinstating the military draft in the event of a war with Iran, reviving a constitutional question about conscription powers during wartime. The statement raises the prospect of compulsory military service, which the U.S. has not used since 1973 when the country transitioned to an all-volunteer force. Legal scholars debate whether conscription would withstand constitutional scrutiny, with some arguing that conscription is permissible under the Constitution's war powers while others contend the government must exhaust volunteer recruitment first. The volunteer military model has allowed Americans to constrain foreign military action by controlling enlistment rates, a check that would disappear under forced conscription. The broader debate touches on presidential war powers, congressional authority over conscription, and how Americans want their military sourced during potential conflicts with Iran.