Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has accused President Donald Trump of violating the War Powers Act of 1973 by manipulating military casualty counts in the Iran Wars.
According to Massie’s post on X, the Pentagon recently reduced the number of American soldiers killed in the Iran Wars from 18 to 14. This adjustment eliminates four service members whose deaths occurred after Trump declared a cease-fire in April.
“Let me explain this absurd ruse: The Pentagon is pretending there have been two Iran Wars separated by a brief cease-fire,” Massie wrote. He added, “The reality: By going more than 90 days without congressional authorization @SecWar IS BREAKING THE LAW and must be held accountable.”
Massie’s reference to the War Powers Act of 1973 highlights Section 5(c), which states that U.S. forces engaged in hostilities outside the United States must be removed by the president if Congress directs via concurrent resolution. The law also requires the president to remove such forces within 60 days unless Congress authorizes the action, with a possible extension of up to 30 days under specific conditions.
For the first time since the act was enacted, a concurrent resolution has passed in accordance with Section 5(c). However, the White House has ignored it. Massie argues that the administration is assuming the law is unconstitutional—a claim no court has ever supported.
The administration has also violated Section 5(b) of the law by perpetuating a ruse that the 60-day clock resets each time a temporary ceasefire is declared. Massie asserts this practice would be rejected by any court and should be litigated.
Because of these violations, Massie is joining Democrats in supporting a resolution to sue the executive branch over the Iran Wars.
It must also be noted that Trump’s attack on Iran remains unconstitutional regardless of the War Powers Act, as the Constitution delegates war-declaration power exclusively to Congress—and Trump sought no such declaration.