You're watching...
Rep. Walter Jones, (R-NC), on why he finally felt compelled to sue the President over his ongoing and unconstitutional war on Libya.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
President of the United States has just been sued by ten members of congress.
Over America's military action and Libya.
The lawsuit challenges the president's constitutional authority.
In waging a war without congressional approval for more than sixty days.
North Carolina Republican congressman Walter -- The lawmakers suing the president.
And he joins me now congressman Jones welcome here I guess it's a sad day.
When you have to file.
Over the signature of your lawyers -- document with a federal judge.
Arguing that the president of the United States has assaulted the constitution.
By taking to himself.
Powers that the framers gave it to the congress you did that today why did you do it.
Judge you're right limit let me very quickly explain -- two months ago we went into -- -- on March 19.
And started bombing -- Libya and they had not attacked us there was no potential attack by -- on America.
Well that and it -- bother me greatly quite frankly and and the people in the third district of North Carolina which are represented.
So about two a slight -- told to congressman Dennis Kucinich he was upset by so we've reached down to -- -- -- Jonathan Turley.
You know him -- he's like Cusick constitution is -- a constitutional laureate George Washington University.
And we met several times this is not something we took lightly we would very serious about it and you're exactly right.
The constitution.
Says congress shall declare war.
In this case president of -- and -- even -- congress so yes he did tell the leadership of the house and senate.
But -- 435 members of the house and then 100 senators.
He should have come to congress and a formal way and said look I think I need the authority to possibly go into.
Libya he did not do that he bypassed us what -- -- -- Is it this to me is a real anomaly.
Congressman Jones why is -- that the congress.
Which is always trying to legislate in areas of human behavior that the constitution does not get to it.
Is refusing to take back from the president.
Power that the constitution didn't -- to it which is the power to declare war of the real reason in my view you have to file this lawsuit is because the key.
Congress won't do anything because it's getting harder potted plant while the president the -- against whom he wants to dispatch the -- Terry.
-- judges said it better than not been able to say -- that is the whole point we don't have a king in this country we never happened Neville will.
We have a president who is elected by the people.
We have a congress that's elected by the people and we have a constitution that we're supposed to lead this nation and -- is the constitution you're exactly right.
And and the way that he just totally.
Neglected to come to congress and -- have -- and bombed Libya that yet to doctors and evil man.
-- have many evil people do we have around the world that we you would like to remove.
You just don't go and other countries in bomb them without justification -- right to do you think that a federal judge in Washington DC what actually sign a piece of paper.
Ordering the president to stop bombing in Libya.
Or do you expect that the courts just like the congress will not -- to have anything to do at this the president will go on bombing to his heart's delight.
Well judge I'm not a -- you -- law is certainly certainly John it Jonathan Turley has -- -- things that we've got a pretty solid ground.
To raise this question before the federal courts again this is not done in a few days it took a couple of months to come to this day.
All right and and this is a bipartisan effort you have five Republicans and five Democrats that I've had -- seven.
Seven Republicans and flat -- three Democrats yes is bipartisan.
All right congressman Walter Jones not a knee jerk liberal -- conservative Republican represented a lot of military people.
Trying to he's our president within the confines of the constitution congressman it's a pleasure thank you for joining us.
Thank you so much judge god bless you sir and you as well the IRS is now -- political arm of the White House a prominent member of congress is raising --
