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Jul 21, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked the Senate for nearly $88 billion in supplemental Iran-war funding and defended a much larger military budget Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
Large war and budget requests forced Congress to confront executive military expansion through appropriations and oversight.
Supporting reports
- Defense Secretary Requests Additional $88 Billion for War on Iran — During a Senate appropriations committee hearing, U.S.
- Pete Hegseth Testifies on Military Budget Increase — On July 21, 2026, U.S.
- Pentagon Requests Additional Funding Amid War Costs — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting an urgent $67 billion to sustain Pentagon operations until
Mar 14, 2026 President Trump ordered the bombardment of Iran without congressional authorization Corroborated Power and Authority
The strike concentrated war-making power in the presidency and weakened the constitutional role of Congress in authorizing major military action.
Supporting reports
- Trump Orders Bombardment of Iran — President Donald Trump ordered a bombardment of Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Mar 14, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed an amphibious ready group and Marines to the Middle East Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The deployment deepened U.S. military involvement in the conflict and showed executive escalation of force with limited public oversight.
Immediate effect: The deployment deepened U.S.
Supporting reports
- Defense Secretary Hegseth sending amphibious ready group to Middle East — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an amphibious ready group of vessels, led by the U.S.S.
- U.S. Deploys Marine Expeditionary Unit to Middle East — The United States has deployed a Marine Expeditionary Unit from Japan to the Middle East.
Jan 10, 2026 The Trump administration seized Venezuelan oil proceeds and placed them under U.S. control without congressional consultation Corroborated Power and Authority
The move concentrated foreign-policy and financial power in the executive branch while bypassing normal legislative checks on war, sanctions, and public funds.
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration's Actions Against Venezuela — The Trump administration seized Venezuela's oil and directed its proceeds into Trump's personal control, an action taken without congressional consultation.
- Trump Administration's Military Actions in Venezuela — The Trump administration, with Marco Rubio playing a key role, orchestrated the removal of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump declared national emergency regarding Venezuelan oil revenue — On January 10, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency concerning the revenue from the sale of Venezuelan oil, stating that repayment to oil companies would harm U.S.
Jun 21, 2025 President Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional approval Corroborated Power and Authority
The strikes tested constitutional limits on war powers by concentrating military decision-making in the presidency and bypassing normal legislative authorization and advance notice.
Supporting reports
- President Trump Orders Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities — On June 21, 2025, President Trump ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking the first U.S.
- U.S. Military Conducts Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites — On June 21, 2025, President Donald J.
- US military conducts airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites — The US military launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, involving over 125 aircraft and multiple bomb types, including GBU-57 bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles.
Mar 1, 2025 Secretary of State Marco Rubio used emergency authority to approve a large arms transfer to Israel without congressional review Corroborated Power and Authority
The move bypassed normal legislative review of a major weapons transfer, strengthening unilateral executive control over foreign military support.
Supporting reports
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio bypasses Congress to send arms to Israel — Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked "emergency authorities" to send $4 billion in arms, including 2,000-pound bombs, to Israel.
- Trump Administration Approves $3 Billion Arms Sale to Israel — The Trump administration has approved a nearly $3 billion arms sale to Israel, bypassing congressional review.
Feb 1, 2025 President Trump imposed emergency tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Using emergency powers for broad trade penalties expanded unilateral presidential control over economic policy and foreign relations.
Supporting reports
- Trump signs executive orders imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China — On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed three executive orders imposing tariffs of 25% on all goods from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on Canadian oil exports and imports from China.
- Trump invokes emergency powers for tariffs — Trump invoked emergency powers to justify the imposition of tariffs, citing border security as a rationale.
- Executive Order Imposing Duties on Chinese Products — On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing a 10% ad valorem tariff on all products from the People's Republic of China.