Fact Check: Sen. Sanders slams Trump: Only Congress can take the country to war.

Fact Check: "Sen. Sanders slams Trump: Only Congress can take the country to war."

What We Know

On June 16, 2025, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the No War Against Iran Act, which aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for military action against Iran without specific Congressional authorization. This legislation was introduced in response to escalating military tensions in the Middle East, particularly following Israeli strikes against Iran. Sanders emphasized that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress, not the President, the exclusive power to declare war, stating, "Our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of war and peace exclusively to the people’s elected representatives in Congress" (source-1).

Senator Elizabeth Warren echoed this sentiment, asserting, "The Constitution is clear: Congress decides when our country goes to war, not the President or the Netanyahu government" (source-2). This reflects a broader Democratic stance on limiting executive power in military engagements, particularly in light of recent conflicts.

Analysis

The claim that "only Congress can take the country to war" aligns with the constitutional framework established by the U.S. Constitution, which assigns the power to declare war to Congress (Article I, Section 8). Sanders' introduction of the No War Against Iran Act is a legislative attempt to reinforce this principle, particularly in the context of perceived executive overreach by President Trump regarding military actions in the Middle East.

The sources cited are credible, coming from official press releases from Senator Sanders and Senator Warren, both of whom are prominent figures in the Democratic Party. Their statements reflect a consistent position within the party advocating for Congressional authority over military actions. The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their official status and the context in which the statements were made—during a legislative effort to curb executive military powers (source-1, source-2).

However, it is important to note that while Congress has the power to declare war, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has historically engaged in military actions without prior Congressional approval, citing various justifications such as national security or emergency situations. This ongoing tension between Congressional authority and presidential power complicates the interpretation of the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that "only Congress can take the country to war" is True. It is supported by the constitutional framework and reinforced by the recent legislative efforts of Senator Sanders and his colleagues to limit executive military powers. Their statements reflect a commitment to uphold the constitutional authority of Congress in matters of war, particularly in the context of current geopolitical tensions.

Fact Check: Sen. Sanders slams Trump: Only Congress can take the country to war.