If there's not a standing army at our border or bombs dropping from the sky, are we Americans at peace? Can we make such a blanket statement about the contrast of war in 2026 with Islamic extremists, nuclear powers, and domestic terrorists threatening our existence every day?
As a constitutional advocate and law school graduate, I understand the steps the House of Representatives took Wednesday night. U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) said it best when he told the media, after joining forces with a handful of Republicans and all Democratic House members, "Congress alone declares war, that is something we certainly need to be protective of."
There is no ambiguity in the Constitution regarding the role of Congress and the president. As Article 1, Section 8 says, "The Congress shall have Power ... To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water … To raise and support armies...." These duties are further clarified in the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which includes the process and timetables for enumerated authority.
So will this congressional rebuke stop President Trump in Iran? Or is there a bigger issue at hand?
It is an unfortunate truth that aside from the United Kingdom and Israel, not many countries seem interested in the continued success of the United States.
The question is, will our enemies ever stop trying to bring down the fabric and fortifications of our country? If our enemies, both foreign and domestic, outnumber our allies, are we ever really at peace?
Political realities are nuanced and layered. However, there is direction written in Scripture:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The Bible's instructions aren't born out of an old book but a timeless one. We're instructed, in fact commissioned, to fend off evil forces. We, the U.S., and we the believers in Jesus Christ, know there is an ongoing war, one that does have an end but in a timeframe we're not privy to know. The Iran conflict makes up a battle in a much bigger war, the war to topple the collective evil.
So again, I ask, are we ever at peace? The answer is clearly no. And this makes criticizing our leaders even more complicated. In truth, Congress did not overstep with their vote nor has the president in his fight to keep us safe.
The immediate danger is whether politics will distract from the larger spiritual war. Will we succumb to the rhetoric of the world instead of listening to our better angels in the pursuit of peace?
Austin Sidwell is a former member of the Air Force and a candidate for Alabama's First Congressional District.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
