Can’t a president veto a declaration of war?
I would think that a President could most certainly veto a Declaration of War. It’s never been an issue in our history, because all of our delcarations of war, except one, have been asked for by the President. (In the War of 1812, Madison asked the Congress whether or not we should go to war.)
Sure, a Declaration of War is a reserved power of Congress, but so are all of their other powers which can be vetoed.
It would present a practical issue. What would be required of a President who was opposed to a current war? Say the Congress declared war and then overrode a veto to the declaration. The President as commander-in-chief would have to lead the military in a state of war, but what exactly would he be required to do? Would he be required to attack? He could say, “I’m the commander in chief, and I say if we attack or not”. Then Congress could say “But we are at war” etc…
There was a “Quasi-War” with France, military actions taken against the pirate nations of the N. African coast, Gen. Pershings expedition into Mexico after Pancho Villa, the Boxer Rebellion, and the various “Banana Wars” actions.
Also, the USN was on a “shoot on sight” versus German Uboats by Sept of '41.
/nitpick