WASHINGTON, D.C.—Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Legal Counsel, seeking the release of any opinions related to the administration’s legal authority for the use of military force in Iran. The request comes following the administration’s unilateral initiation of major combat operations in Iran—resulting in the deaths of seven U.S. service members—despite Congress having the exclusive power to declare war.

In the filing, DDF requests any records describing the legal authority for the use of military force by the Department of Defense against Iran or any of its leadership. Since the first strikes last weekend, the President and members of his administration have provided a dizzying array of reasons for Operation Epic Fury including regime change, preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, and responding to potential future threats to American lives, killing terrorists, annihilating the Iranian Navy, and preventing the making of IEDs.

“Over the past week, President Trump and members of his administration have offered multiple, conflicting explanations for the attack on Iran. All are suspect, and none appear to satisfy the narrow legal standards required for a president to use military force without congressional approval,” said Virginia Canter, chief counsel and director of ethics and anti-corruption at Democracy Defenders Fund.“Given the administration’s inconsistent and incomplete statements, and the enormous consequences of this military operation, the American people deserve to know on what legal authority the President relied upon to take this action.”

The FOIA was sent on an expedited basis and can be viewed HERE.

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