President Joe Biden’s four-year-old criticism of his predecessor is resurfacing after the U.S. carried out strikes in Yemen against Houthi militants
In 2020, after then-President Donald Trump ordered the strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Let’s be clear: Donald Trump does not have the authority to take us into war with Iran without Congressional approval.”
“A president should never take this nation to war without the informed consent of the American people,” he added.
Let's be clear: Donald Trump does not have the authority to take us into war with Iran without Congressional approval. A president should never take this nation to war without the informed consent of the American people.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2020
On Thursday, U.S. Air Force’s Mideast command revealed over 60 targets were hit in an operation carried out by the U.S. and the United Kingdom, including “command-and-control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems.”
The strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen came as the group has been carrying out missile and drone strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea, putting trade routes in danger.
According to the Associated Press, Houthi militants have carried out 27 attacks since Nov. 19 in what the group says is an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas — the terrorist group that carried out the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. The AP points out the targets of the attacks in the Red Sea have rarely had links to Israel.
Users on X shared Biden’s post from 2020 in light of the strikes:
Let's be clear: Joe Biden does not have the authority to take us into war with Yemen without Congressional approval. A president should never take this nation to war without the informed consent of the American people. https://t.co/qeFNzwsuOi
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) January 12, 2024
This aged well. https://t.co/bddaOYHJ6v
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) January 12, 2024
Tonight, @JoeBiden dropped bombs on Yemen without Congressional approval. https://t.co/KjcDY927R2
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) January 12, 2024
Ah, the memories.
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) January 12, 2024
Here's an idea for reporters at the press briefing today right out of the Russert playbook. Maybe someone can read this quote to Kirby or KJP and ask what changed? https://t.co/QtxhgpimY4
Biden has faced criticism for the strikes from members of his own party as well as conservatives who insist he did not have the authority to take such action without approval from Congress.
