Are The Republicans Dyslexic?

[Editorial]

One of the primary challenges people with dyslexia face is that their brains may unintentionally add or omit words while reading. It seems many Republicans are suffering from a similar affliction.

The War Powers Act clearly states that a 60-day clock (with a possible 30-day withdrawal period) is triggered when U.S. forces are introduced into “hostilities” or situations where hostilities are imminent. Nowhere does the law state that a ceasefire, pause, or reduction in fighting resets or stops that timer. Yet, somehow, Republicans have read a "pause" button into the text, arguing that the clock resets during a ceasefire.

They are seeing words that simply aren't there. It is much like their stance on protesters carrying weapons; they have effectively added a silent exception to the Second Amendment that only applies when it suits their narrative.

The First Amendment is explicit:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Despite this, Hegseth and Trump act as though they can ignore these constitutional limits. They have restricted press access to the military, threatened the licenses of broadcast stations, and seized reporters' notes. Now, they claim to have found an "on/off" switch buried deep within the War Powers Act.

Regardless of their claims, this war will continue. They are fighting for "wiggle room" when what they truly need isn't measured in days or weeks, but months.

The British Guardian reported that,

However, the Trump administration has repeatedly rejected the deadline, with Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, testifying before a heated Senate armed services committee that the ceasefire agreement reached with Iran more than three weeks ago “means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops”.

Hegseths’s comments reflect what a senior Trump administration official told the Guardian earlier: “For war powers resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” the official said.

This follows a bizarre statement from the Trump administration about the war being over:

Trump administration says Iran war ‘terminated’ before 60-day deadline for congressional approval

The statement furthers an argument Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out during testimony before the Senate earlier Thursday.

MS Now

May. 1, 2026,

By The Associated Press  and Emily Hung

The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of the ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.

The statement furthers an argument Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out during testimony before the Senate earlier Thursday, when he said the ceasefire effectively paused the war. Under that rationale, the administration has not yet met the requirement mandated by a 1973 law to seek formal approval from Congress for military action that extends beyond 60 days.

A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s position, said for purposes of that law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb. 28 have terminated.” The official said the U.S. military and Iran have not exchanged fire since the two-week ceasefire that began April 7.

An administration official did not immediately respond to MS NOW’s question about what would happen if either side breaks the ceasefire.

While the ceasefire has since been extended, Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy is maintaining a blockade to prevent Iran’s oil tankers from getting out to sea.

Under the War Powers Resolution, the law that sought to constrain a president’s military powers, President Donald Trump had until Friday to seek congressional authorization or cease fighting. The law also allows an administration to extend that deadline by 30 days.

Despite the clear intent of the law, it seems certain that a Republican-controlled Congress will simply ignore the statutes and do as they please.

[/Editorial]