Trump Has Gone Too Far, US Congress Prepares to "Cripple" the President

Members of the United States Congress are once again seeking to restrict President Donald Trump’s war powers against Iran. This effort will be carried out through a vote on a resolution in the Senate next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, stated that the resolution aims to force Trump to obtain congressional approval before launching further attacks.

“Congress must reassert its authority, especially at this dangerous time,” Schumer said during a press conference in New York, as quoted by Reuters on Thursday (9 April 2026).

This step emerged just hours after Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Previously, Trump had issued an ultimatum to Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face a major attack on civilian infrastructure.

Trump’s hardline statements, including threats that “the entire civilisation will die tonight,” have sparked global concerns and condemnation from Democrats. Several members of Congress have even called for Trump’s impeachment.

Schumer assessed that those statements do not reflect the appropriate firmness and criticised the effectiveness of the war, which he deemed unable to weaken the Iranian government or halt its nuclear programme. On the other hand, the conflict has also driven up global fuel prices.

Iran itself insists that its nuclear programme is peaceful. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to claim the military operations as a strategic success, although US military officials have stated readiness to continue the fight if necessary.

The White House stated that Trump’s actions are legally valid as commander-in-chief in protecting US national interests through limited military operations.

Democrats’ efforts to limit the president’s war powers have actually been attempted repeatedly in recent months, but have always failed in Congress.

The Republican Party, which holds slim majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, tends to solidly support Trump’s policies. Although the US Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war, the president still has leeway to conduct short-term military operations, especially in situations of direct threats.

Separately, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasised that the House also needs to hold a similar vote.

“We need to permanently end Donald Trump’s reckless optional wars,” he said in an interview with CNN International.