Biden faces backlash from some Democrats over strikes on Yemen
3 Min Read
Representatives from Biden's Democratic Party accuse the US President violating the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval.
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US President Joe Biden waits to speak at a campaign event at Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 8, 2024. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
US President Joe Biden is facing backlash from some members of his Democratic Party over the latest US-British aggression that targeted several locations in Yemen on Friday.
Earlier, Biden confirmed that US and British forces had launched air strikes against targets in Yemen in "defensive action" amid the operations carried out by the Yemeni Armed Forces against Israeli and Israeli-bound ships in the Red and Arabian seas in support of Gaza.
In a statement, Biden said the aggression on Yemen was carried out with "support" from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, adding that he "will not hesitate" to order further military action if needed.
In response, Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib accused Biden of "violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval," adding that "the American people are tired of endless war."
Similarly, Representative Mark Pocan stressed that the US "cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization."
Pocan said that "the White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen."
Congresswoman Sam Lee said that "the President must come to Congress before launching a strike and embroiling the US in another conflict. Article I of the Constitution demands this of both Democratic and Republican presidents."
"Americans don’t want more of our tax dollars funding these endless wars," she added.
The President must come to Congress before launching a strike and embroiling the US in another conflict. Article I of the Constitution demands this of both Democratic and Republican presidents.
— Congresswoman Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) January 12, 2024
Americans don’t want more of our tax dollars funding these endless wars.
Earlier, both Republican and Democratic members of the US Congress expressed concerns about the US strikes on Yemen.
"These airstrikes have not been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party," Democratic US Congresswoman Val Hoyle said in a statement on Thursday via social media platform X.
These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party. https://t.co/Yo4QOWfbgr
— Val Hoyle (@RepValHoyle) January 11, 2024
Fellow House Democrat Ro Khanna reiterated Hoyle’s concerns in a statement, stressing that Biden must seek congressional approval before involving the US in another Middle East conflict.
I totally agree with @RoKhanna.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 12, 2024
The Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation. https://t.co/74ofiUw0Hb
Republican US Senator Mike Lee replied to Khanna’s post on X and expressed his agreement. "The US Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation," he said.
On his part, former US Representative Justin Amash said that "if President Biden had enough time to form a multinational coalition to plan and conduct strikes in Yemen, then he had enough time to seek and obtain an authorization from Congress as our Constitution requires."
"Without this authorization, any nondefensive military action is unconstitutional and unlawful."
If President Biden had enough time to form a multinational coalition to plan and conduct strikes in Yemen, then he had enough time to seek and obtain an authorization from Congress as our Constitution requires.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 12, 2024
Without this authorization, any nondefensive military action is…
Meanwhile, protesters staged a vigil outside the White House condemning the US bombing of Yemen.
#Watch | A vigil outside the #WhiteHouse condemning the US bombing of #Yemen. pic.twitter.com/CtQcEv9AY9
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2024
The protesters stressed that Yemenis are trying to stop terrorism and genocide in Gaza.
In addition, Times Square in New York City witnessed a demonstration denouncing the recent US aggression on Yemen and demanding the United States' withdrawal from the Middle East.
#Watch | Demonstrators in Times Square in New York denounce the recent #US aggression on #Yemen. pic.twitter.com/PdutJiqcYH
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2024
Read more: US, UK to bear severe consequences for blatant aggression: Sanaa
