by Shawn Meehan | Nov 6, 2025 | Constitution
The episode with President Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates (1801–1805) is one of the clearest real-world proofs of the Founders’ original understanding that offensive military action required Congressional authorization, even when the executive believed it morally...
by Shawn Meehan | Nov 6, 2025 | Constitution
The Framers viewed “war” as the state of hostilities between nations that legally altered the condition of peace — a public act requiring legislative authority. Constitutional Convention (Aug. 17, 1787) The Committee draft had given Congress the power to “make war.”...
by Shawn Meehan | Nov 6, 2025 | Constitution, News
I. Definition & Delegation of War Power Madison — Convention Notes (Aug. 17, 1787) “The Executive should be able to repel sudden attacks but not to commence war.”Madison Notes — Aug. 17, 1787 (Yale) Motion passed 8–1 changing “make war” to “declare war,”...
