America's Undeclared War Problem

War with Venezuela. President Trump launched military operations in Venezuela against the regime and the person of Nicolás Maduro. This lectures examines the president's war powers as seriously and as comprehensively as possible. Today is a serious and difficult day, so let me set the tone: I was already working on a war powers video. I decided to move it up because this is an important moment that requires better understanding. I do not support this undeclared war. Thanks for your factual corrections and your engagement. ★Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/williamcfox ★Subscribe on Substack: https://williamcfox.substack.com/ 00:00-1:33 Intro 1:34-9:37 Constitutional Debate 9:38-27:36 Washington War Power 27:37-47:20 War Powers before Lincoln 47:21-1:11:35 Lincoln's Emergency 1:11:36-1:33:21 Truman's "Emergency" 1:33:22-1:46:31 Imperial Presidency 1:46:32-1:53:23 Can the President Declare War? Presidential War Power by Louis Fisher War Powers by Peter Irons Presidents of War Beschloss Imperial Presidency Arthur M Schlesinger Jr. The Politics of War Powers Sarah Burns Further books: Diplomacy by Henry Kissinger “The Quartet: Orchestrating the…”, 2016. Joseph J. Ellis “How to Hide an Empire” 2019 Daniel Immerwahr The Evolving Presidency. 2008, 3rd Edition Michael Nelson 1979 Presidential Selection. James W. Ceaser Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents Richard E. Neustadt The Hidden-Hand President. Fred I. Greenstein Wider reading: Bobbitt, Philip. “War Powers: An Essay on John Hart Ely’s _War and Responsibility: Constitutional Lessons of Vietnam and Its Aftermath_.” _Mich. L. Rev._ 92 (January 1994): 1364. “Federal v. Consolidated Government: Brutus, No. 7.” Accessed December 4, 2025. Justia Law. “Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952).” Accessed December 3, 2025. “Make War and Declare War at the Constitutional Convention | Constitution Annotated | Congress.Gov | Library of Congress.” Accessed December 2, 2025. National Archives. “U.S. Marines in the Boxer Rebellion.” August 15, 2016. Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis R-IL-14. “Text - H.J.Res.114 - 107th Congress (2001-2002): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.” Legislation. October 16, 2002. 2002 Rep. Zablocki, Clement J. D-WI-4. “Actions - H.J.Res.542 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): War Powers Resolution.” Legislation. November 7, 1973. 1973-05-03. Strickler, Jeremy L. “The Politics of War Powers: The Theory and History of Presidential Unilateralism.” _Congress & the Presidency_, Routledge, July 20, 2020. world. “The Political Question Doctrine: Historical Background (Part 2).” Legislation. Accessed December 4, 2025. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. “James Thomson Callender.” Accessed December 8, 2025. “Veto Message to the War Powers Resolution.” _Teaching American History_, n.d. Accessed December 3, 2025. “War and Responsibility | Princeton University Press.” March 26, 1995. Waxman, Matthew. “Remembering the Bombardment of Greytown.” _Lawfare_, Lawfare, January 18, 2023. James Monroe Special Message March 25, 1818 Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images.