The Commander-in-Chief Role: Presidents often cite Article II of the Constitution to order military actions in the name of national security or to repel sudden attacks.

Broad Statutory Authorizations: Actions are frequently justified under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) or the UN Charter.

Historical Precedents: Major conflicts, including the Barbary Pirate War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and subsequent operations in Iraq and Syria, were executed without official congressional declarations of war.