Tangle PREVIEW: SPECIAL EDITION - Isaac interviews David French about the volcanic blowback to his James Talarico piece, the war in Iran and more.
Mar 15, 2026
David French, conservative columnist and legal commentator known for writing on politics and law, discusses whether recent strikes on Iran count as a war and why Congress should have weighed in. He unpacks presidential vs congressional authority, public misconceptions about past military actions, and the legal tensions between international law and the U.S. Constitution.
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Trump's Iran Strikes Are Constitutionally A War
- The Iran strikes qualify as a war and should have required a formal Congressional declaration under the Constitution.
- David French cites scale: decapitation strikes, sinking of naval assets, and sustained operations as classic war indicators that exceed short defensive exceptions.
Recent Presidents Did Seek Authorizations
- Modern presidents often sought congressional or UN backing before major nation-state operations, contrary to the claim presidents routinely ignore Congress.
- French notes examples: Bush (Iraq, Afghanistan), George H.W. Bush (Desert Storm), and Obama (Libya UN backing).
Skipping Congress Raises Military And Political Risks
- Acting without Congress increases political and military risk and can reduce the U.S. hand in diplomacy.
- French suggests lack of authorization may have worsened the conflict and weakened leverage in negotiations.