A video of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett passionately criticizing the U.S. government for engaging in military action without congressional approval has gone viral, reigniting the ongoing national debate over war powers and congressional oversight.
The video, widely shared via a post by conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman on X (formerly Twitter), shows Rep. Crockett condemning what she described as a dangerous erosion of democratic accountability. She questioned both the financial cost and human toll of unauthorized military actions, while also accusing some lawmakers of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities — likening the atmosphere in Congress to that of a “cult.”
“We are sending troops, launching strikes, and risking lives without so much as a vote. That’s not democracy — that’s dysfunction,” Crockett said during a committee session.
Gunther Eagleman’s post was a direct response to a previous one he made about Rep. Rashida Tlaib, framing the two lawmakers in a derogatory light and suggesting a “competition” for the “dumbest member of Congress.” His comments reflect a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric frequently directed at progressive lawmakers, particularly women of color, who have been vocal in challenging U.S. foreign policy norms.
Critics of Eagleman’s post have called it sexist and dismissive, while supporters echo his concerns about national security and the perceived radicalism of certain members of Congress.
Crockett’s remarks touch on a long-standing point of contention in American governance: the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches when it comes to military engagement. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, yet presidents have increasingly relied on Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs)and executive orders to initiate military actions without direct congressional approval.
Legal scholars and watchdog organizations have repeatedly called for greater oversight, citing examples in Libya, Syria, and now Iran, where recent U.S. strikes have been carried out amid rising geopolitical tensions without a formal congressional mandate.
Crockett’s impassioned speech has drawn both praise and criticism across the political spectrum. Advocates for constitutional checks and balances lauded her for highlighting the need to rein in executive overreach, while her detractors dismissed the comments as performative.
“Whether you agree with her or not, she’s raising a fundamental question: Who decides when America goes to war?” said Dr. Amina Caldwell, a professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University. “That debate is not going away anytime soon.”