Defending Rights & Dissent Condemns Border Detentions of Iranian-Americans, Urges Congress to Assert Their Constitutional War Powers
Days after Donald Trump ordered the assassination of an Iranian general, sparking concern of a US war with Iran, over 60 individuals of Iranian descent, including US citizens and permanent residents, were detained, had their passports confiscated, and were interrogated about their political beliefs at the US-Canadian border.ending Rights & Dissent strongly condemns these detententions. It is flagrantly unconstitutional to subject someone to detention because of their national origin or ethnicity.
Trump Lacks Legal Authority to Attack Iran
According to the New York Times, President Donald Trump ordered a strike on Iran yesterday, only to call it off at the last minute. Only Congress, not the President, has the authority to initiate such a military action. Trump’s attack would have been illegal and unconstitutional.
Supreme Court’s Refusal to Hear Guantanamo “Forever Prisoner’s” Appeal Highlights Need to Repeal AUMF
In an upcoming minibus bill, a longtime opponent of the AUMF, Barbara Lee, has introduced an amendment to repeal the AUMF. A major step toward ending endless wars and forcing the issue of the “forever prisoners” would be repealing.
House Votes to End Illegal US War in Yemen, Will Senate Follow?
The House of Representatives made history when it voted to invoke the War Powers Resolution to end the US’s illegal participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The vote was 248-177.
We Can End Unconstitutional US Military Action in Yemen
We are on a historic precipice for Congress reclaiming its constitutional war powers.
We Need to Close Guantánamo, Not Expand it
Defending Rights & Dissent strongly opposes any efforts to expand the military prison at Guantánamo. We reiterate our call for the military prison to be closed, for the AUMF to be repealed, and for the policy of indefinite detention to be rejected.
Letter about Attorney General Nominee William Barr’s Views on War Powers
 Direct link: https://drive.google.com/
Defending Rights & Dissent Raises Troubling Issues with William Barr’s Views on War Powers
One particularly troubling aspect of Barr’s views that have flown under the radar is his disturbing views about presidential war powers. On three separate occasions–Panama, Iraq, and Somalia–Barr advised then-President George H.W. Bush who use military force without congressional approval.
Invoking War Powers Act for First Time, Senate Moves to End Illegal US War in Yemen
Yesterday, the Senate voted to end the US’s illegal, unauthorized military participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. This is historic. Never has either chamber voted to invoke the War Powers Act. This could not have happened without grassroots pressure. I
DRAD Mourns Passing of Ally William Blum, Journalist and Historian Who Documented US Covert Actions
William Blum, a journalist and historian who documented covert actions, was an ally of our work. He recently passed away at the age of 85.
Historic Vote in Senate on Yemen War Powers Resolution
Moments ago the United States Senate voted to discharge the bipartisan Yemen War Powers Resolution. This mean the Senate will debate and vote on the ongoing illegal, unconstitutional military action in Yemen. Â The resolution brought by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is an important step for Congress to reclaim its constitutional war powers While today was only a procedural vote, it is historic in nature.
Now Is The Time To End US Participation in Saudi-Led War in Yemen
This US military assistance constitutes “hostilities” under the War Powers Act. It is entirely illegal for any president–be it Trump or Obama–to engage in hostilities without Congressional authorization. And isn’t just the War Powers Act, the Constitution also gives Congress the exclusive power to initiate military action.
Uphold Section 504 transparency provisions
Direct link: https://drive.google.com/fi