WASHINGTON — Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has joined a bipartisan group of House members in a lawsuit against the White House, challenging President Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran without explicit congressional approval.
The suit seeks a judicial declaration that any U.S. military action against Iran requires a formal declaration of war or specific authorization from Congress.
The lawsuit argues that the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force does not extend to military action against Iran. Passed after the Sept. 11 attacks, the AUMF has been used by multiple administrations to justify a wide range of counterterrorism operations. The plaintiffs contend that applying it to Iran represents an overreach that circumvents Congress's constitutional power to declare war.
The rare bipartisan alignment — bringing together libertarian-leaning Republicans like Massie with progressive Democrats — reflects a shared concern about executive overreach. The coalition aims to reassert legislative authority over foreign policy, directly confronting the executive branch's expansive interpretation of its commander-in-chief powers.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the lawsuit names the president and the Department of Defense as defendants. The plaintiffs expect the White House to move to dismiss the case, citing executive privilege and lack of standing. The court will likely schedule an initial hearing on those preliminary motions within three months — a ruling that will determine whether the case proceeds to arguments on the merits.
