Statement on U.S. Military Attacks
From Venezuela to Iran, President Trump has repeatedly pursued foreign military attacks in his second term, targeting countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, often in violation of international law and without Congressional approval. U.S. military strikes against Iran, which have erupted into broader regional conflict, mark a dangerous escalation abroad and another critical test for defending democracy at home.
The U.S. Constitution is clear that the authority to start or enter war does not rest with one person. Our freedom to elect leaders who govern in our name and in our interests is essential to an inclusive democracy. At Western States Center, we’re focused on building a thriving, just democracy and equipping local communities to reject authoritarianism.
Wielding military power to invade other countries, capture or kill foreign leaders, and start wars is a well-known authoritarian tactic to consolidate control at home. Here’s why:
It is a way to expand executive power. It can help authoritarian leaders cultivate a “strongman” image, distract from domestic repression and crisis, and serve as a justification to increase surveillance and suspend civil rights. Authoritarians often seek to abrogate Congressional and judicial powers in the name of national security.
It normalizes violating the Constitution and democratic norms. Impunity for actions abroad feeds the expectation of impunity at home. As ReThink Media wrote, “If a president can kidnap foreign leaders and kill civilians abroad without consequence, no one’s rights are secure at home.” Military deployments and ICE violence in U.S. cities and states in defiance of court orders and the express wishes of democratically elected local and state leaders are an example of this impunity at home.
It sets a precedent for future power grabs. Breaking international law normalizes American tolerance for domestic power grabs and suspension of constitutional protections, weakens democratic guardrails, and sets a dangerous precedent for escalating state violence at home.
Asset seizure and infrastructure control are part of power consolidation. Trump has hollowed out the U.S. government, closing public agencies to finance tax cuts and consolidate power, pursuing privatization, and exploring the sale of public lands. Foreign oil, land, and strategic advantage offer similar appeal to Trump, and sadly, since the Vietnam War, U.S. presidential administrations have a troubling history of waging war on other countries to serve their corporate and political interests.
The actions rely on conspiracy theory and disinformation. Trump is drawing on false narratives to justify his actions (yet again). Trump has used disinformation and conspiracy theories for years, a common strategy of authoritarians who want to erode trust in accurate news and democratic institutions to make it more difficult to hold leaders accountable.
Finally, while foreign dictators and repressive regimes have been weakened in these attacks, domestic repression is on the rise, and the tragic loss of human life and mounting threats to safety at home and abroad carry profound and devastating consequences.
Additional reading and resources:
Fact checking Trump’s justification for attacking Iran (New York Times)