Even Trump must follow the law

Last weekend, President Trump instructed U.S. forces to bomb Syria. Shortly after, he declared on Twitter, “Mission Accomplished.” The problem is that for many Americans, the President’s mission remains unclear. Nor did he ask Congress for an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), as required by law and the U.S. Constitution. In a letter to the editor this week I explained why I believe, along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the President must come before Congress with a clear and comprehensive strategy and ask for an AUMF. Before we engage any of our men and women in the armed forces in another military conflict overseas, we owe it to them and all the American people to vigorously examine the President’s case for going to war with Syria and, if justified, approve his plan.