US democratic erosion exposed by war with Iran, analysis finds
The war against Iran, launched on February 28 by U.S. President Donald Trump jointly with the Israeli prime minister, has laid bare the brutalization of American institutions, according to an analysis. Trump declared the war over on May 1 without seeking congressional approval, flouting a law requiring him to turn to Congress after 60 days. The analysis cites Republican consent, conservative Supreme Court rulings, and Pentagon purges by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as further signs of unchecked executive power.
The war against Iran, launched on February 28 by U.S. President Donald Trump jointly with the Israeli prime minister, has laid bare the brutalization of American institutions, according to an analysis published in Le Monde.
Trump declared the war over on Friday, May 1, without seeking congressional approval. U.S. law requires a president who did not seek initial congressional approval to turn to Congress after 60 days. The declaration was an attempt to sidestep that legal constraint, the analysis states.
The Republican Party, which holds a majority in both chambers of Congress, has consented to this weakening of legislative power, the analysis says. The Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, has also given its imprimatur to Trump's expansion of executive authority.
At the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Trump ally, has conducted purges among top civilian and military officials, the analysis notes. The Pentagon is led by Hegseth, who holds the title of Secretary of War in this administration.
Midterm elections are scheduled for November. To prepare, Trump pushed Republicans in states where they are majority to engage in unprecedented gerrymandering. The Democratic Party responded with its own aggressive redistricting.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 29, overturned a law from the civil rights movement that guaranteed better minority representation. The analysis states the decision is expected to benefit the Republican Party electorally.
"One can only deplore that this weakening is happening with the consent of the Republican Party, majority in both chambers," the analysis says. "The dysfunction of the Pentagon, led by a Trump loyalist, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is another manifestation of a power without a safeguard."