President Trump notified congressional leaders on Friday that military “hostilities” with Iran have successfully terminated, effectively neutralizing a 60-day legislative deadline that critics hoped would hamstrung the administration’s regional strategy.
By declaring the conflict over, the President is asserting his authority to maintain a strategic presence without the immediate need for a new congressional mandate.
In letters sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Chuck Grassley, the President noted that a de facto peace has held for weeks.
“There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026,” Trump wrote, marking a clear end to the active combat phase that began in late February. “The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated.”
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The move sparked an immediate and profanity-laced outcry from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Refusing to acknowledge the cessation of direct fire, Schumer took to X to vent his frustration.
“That’s bulls***,” the New York Democrat posted, labeling the administration’s actions an “illegal war.” He went on to accuse Republicans of being “complicit” in a situation he claims is driving up prices and endangering lives, despite the administration’s report of a three-week pause in combat.
At the heart of the standoff is the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a Vietnam-era law often used by the legislative branch to challenge executive military decisions.
While the 60-day clock typically requires a withdrawal of forces, the Trump administration maintains the clock is no longer ticking because the fighting has stopped.
The U.S. continues to maintain a firm posture, including a blockade of Iranian ports to ensure stability, while Iran has attempted to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Though direct strikes have ceased, President Trump has remained firm, suggesting that the military option remains on the table if Iran refuses to negotiate a permanent deal.
While some Republicans have expressed a preference for formal congressional authorization, the White House appears confident that the current pause in active engagement satisfies the legal requirements of the law.
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