President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe he was required to consult Congress for authorization to use military force against Syria.
“As commander-in-chief, I always preserve the right and the responsibility to act on behalf of America’s national security,” he said in a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. “I do not believe that I was required to take this to Congress. But I did not take this to Congress just because it’s an empty exercise. I think it’s important to have Congress’ support on it.”
The president added he believes the country understands authorizing even limited military action is a “sober decision” and that Congress will approve a resolution.
“I think America also recognizes that if the international community fails to maintain certain norms, standards, laws, governing how countries interact and how people are treated, that over time this world becomes less safe,” he said. “It becomes more dangerous not only for those people who are subjected to these horrible crimes, but to all of humanity.”
