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Written by: William F Sihr

The New Jersey Libertarian Party opposes the unconstitutional military operations in Iran that started as a part of the joint operations by the US and the Israeli governments that began on February 28.

The Article I, Section VIII of the United States Constitution includes the powers reserved for Congress, which includes the power to declare war. The Congress of the United States did not declare war, while the President is not authorized to wage one without congressional authorization, with both the Executive and the Legislative branches failing in their responsibilities to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. 

“This decision has been made without congressional approval or the issuance of the letters of marquis and reprisal, as the Constitution calls for. This operation lacks legitimacy. The talk of war with Iran has been going on for a generation, where the Iran War was expected to take place after the Iraq War, based on the same playbook. However, the Iraq War disaster gave pause even to the fans of never-ending wars in their efforts to start the Iran War. The plan was put on ice, until the Trump Administration, influenced by President Trump's personal long-standing friendship and strong support for Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to echo his support for the war, with Senator Graham and Ambassador Huckabee lobbying for the move, as well. These illegal military operations are acts of aggression that violate Iranian sovereignty, are being waged under false pretenses just like the Iraq War, and will result in misery and deaths of the same people that these operations claim to save. The people of New Jersey are already suffering under the brunt of harmful domestic policies, such as higher tariffs being added to the inflation. These military operations will bring further economic shocks to the US economy, with higher gas prices, inflation, and debt. Haven't the people suffered enough? These operations will bring misery and deaths to the many, while enriching the cronies at the Military-Industrial Complex”, said New Jersey Libertarian Party Chair Bruno Pereira.

Pereira continues, “As the support for Iran was at 21% prior to the hostilities, no effort was made at an official government capacity to provide justifications for them, prior to the start of military actions. While the Iraq War was based on false pretenses, and as terrible as that war was with thousands of US and millions of Iraqi deaths, at least in that case, an effort was made to convince the American people that warfare was justified. If these military operations are not terminated, they are risking igniting a regional war, with devastating consequences.”

The New Jersey Libertarian Party is calling for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities and defend the US Constitution. The power to declare war does not lie with the President. It lies with the representatives of the American people.

The New Jersey Libertarian Party supports a non-interventionist foreign policy, based on its opposition to military aggression and support for the right of the people to trade and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The New Jersey Libertarian Party calls for an immediate end to the military operations in Iran.

In Liberty,

The New Jersey Libertarian Party

Bruno Pereira

Chair, New Jersey Libertarian Party