We’ll see what shakes out, but for the moment US forces seem to have limited themselves to deposing Maduro and letting his V.P. assume leadership of the country. Whether this will expand to a Iraqi-style occupation we don’t know yet.
Great question. The answer is Yes those would apply. I’ll answer as if there is no precedent/interpretations where the confusion is intentionally generated.
The War Powers Resolutions applies when “Hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances”. Congress said hostilities include “any situation where U.S. armed forces are actively exchanging fire, or where there is a serious risk of such exchange”. It is well understood that hostilities was meant to be a lesser standard than full-blown war. Think finding probable cause versus finding beyond a reasonable doubt.
With that, in Panama, the US sent tens of thousands of troops into Panama for a few days. Quick surrender. I’d say, yes, this was a full boots on the ground invasion. Definitely hostilities and WPR applies.
Libya. Thousands of airstrikes against Libya for a limited duration. The US is actively exchanging fire. So yes, that is hostilities and the WPR applies.
Venezuela. I’m intentionally avoiding this one for now, but I’ve read airstrikes. That’s hostilities. So yes, WPR applies.
It don’t take much. There is no timing component to the duration of the hostilities in the law (it doesn’t even take actual hostilities, the risk of it is enough (think a buildup of forces). So “over and done with operations” definitely should be considered hostilities per the law. Hope that helps.
One consequence, if Congress doesn’t want to extend the operation, is that there wouldn’t be any funding for it.
I should have been clearer: does the WPR have any consequences if US forces are gone from the theater of “hostilities” within 60 days?
Damn, we just arrested the guy that could have given cocaine and fentanyl to the CIA to sell in the US to fund the operation.
Well Trump says congress is full of leakers! Also his ears prefer not to hear the word No ! It’s obvious the press conference is his delivery system to congress ! The man has quite a set of onions even for a king!
[Moderating]
That’ll be a Warning for politicking in FQ. At least, I think that’s what that incoherent mess is. It certainly has nothing to do with the tread.
And this is also off-topic. Again, the topic here is the powers of the branches of the US government in general, NOT the current specific action.
No.
It was only meant to regulate wars.