Trump White House argues Iran War is over because of cease-fire that began in April
The Trump administration claims the war in Iran has ended due to a ceasefire that began in April, allowing it to bypass congressional approval for continued military action. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued the 60-day clock under the War Powers Resolution is paused during the ceasefire, a stance critics call legally unsupported. Legal experts and lawmakers, including some Republicans, warn this interpretation stretches the 1973 law and undermines congressional authority over military engagements.
- ▪The Trump administration asserts that hostilities with Iran ended on February 28 due to a ceasefire that began April 7, halting direct military exchanges.
- ▪Under the War Powers Resolution, President Trump was required to seek congressional authorization by a Friday deadline or cease military action, with a possible 30-day extension.
- ▪Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the 60-day clock for congressional approval is paused during the ceasefire, a position criticized by legal experts and lawmakers as unprecedented and unsupported by law.
- ▪Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz while the U.S. Navy blocks Iranian oil tankers, maintaining military pressure despite the ceasefire.
- ▪Richard Goldberg, a former National Security Council official, suggested rebranding the mission as 'Epic Passage' to frame it as self-defense and circumvent legal constraints.
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The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of the ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.Recommended Video The statement furthers an argument laid out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during testimony in the Senate earlier Thursday, when he said the ceasefire effectively paused the war. Under that rationale, the administration has not yet met the requirement mandated by a 1973 law to seek formal approval from Congress for military action that extends beyond 60 days. A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s position, said for purposes of that law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb.
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