Overview
- Video from 2011 shows Nancy Pelosi saying a president did not need congressional authorization for the Obama administration’s Libya operation.
- Pelosi now criticizes President Trump’s strikes on Iran and backs a war powers resolution to restrict further action without lawmakers’ approval.
- House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries argued the Iran situation differs from Libya, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Gang of Eight was briefed and cited the War Powers Resolution.
- Some outlets report U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran, including a Fox News claim that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, and WSBT notes reported retaliation and travel warnings, but these operational details are thinly sourced.
- As precedent, Obama consulted bipartisan lawmakers before the 2011 Libya strikes but did not seek a formal declaration of war.