Moments ago, president Trump just issued the second veto of his presidency – the first one being his veto rejecting a measure that would reverse the national emergency he declared on the Southern border on March 15 – rejecting a Congressional resolution to end US military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
In a statement to the Senate released by the White House, Trump called the joint resolution “unnecessary”, warned it represents a “dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities” and argued it would negatively affect U.S. foreign policy. What he really meant is that the US military-industrial complex stood to lose billions in potential revenue from the biggest US weapons client. As a result countless innocent civilians will continue to die for an unknown period of time but at least the stock price of Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon will not be put in jeopardy.
As a reminder, last month the Senate voted 54-46 to pass a resolution requiring the president to withdraw any troops in or “affecting” Yemen within 30 days unless they are fighting al Qaeda. The House passed the measure earlier this month with a 248-177 vote. Neither was enough to override Trump’s veto.
Predictably there were opinions on both side of the topic, with some praising Trump’s decision to perpetuate a “proxy war”…
Excellent Trump here. This is an important proxy war and it is crucial that the Iran-backed Houthis do not gain a stronghold in the Arabian peninsula.
Also, shame on @AP for tendentious “Saudi-led” phrasing. It is a defensive war for the Saudis against Iran/Houthi aggression. https://t.co/HRFSFST1cs
— Josh Hammer (@josh_hammer) April 16, 2019
… while others were disgusted.
The President does not have legal authority to wage war against Yemen. Only Congress can declare war. That has not happened; Congress has voted to end U.S. support for the #WarInYemen. @realDonaldTrump’s veto is an assault on the U.S. Constitution. https://t.co/CAI1N7Mom5
— Joseph Robertson (@poet_economist) April 16, 2019
While it is unclear what, if anything, will now end the war in Yemen – perhaps Russian intervention will again be required – expect many more presidential vetoes for the next 2 years (at least).
via ZeroHedge News http://bit.ly/2KIoe2i Tyler Durden