The United States has a long history of intervention in foreign conflicts, waging war and dropping bombs in countries where American interests are not at stake — and taking innocent lives in the process. The civil war in Yemen is fueled by aggression from Saudi Arabia that has been particularly brutal, with an estimated 50,000 killed, including many thousands of civilians. American intervention there serves no national security purpose, so Congress passed a cross-partisan resolution that would end U.S. military involvement. Then, on April 16, President Donald Trump vetoed the resolution — only the second time this president has used his veto power.
The Libertarian Party calls on Congress to override Trump’s veto and end American involvement in Yemen immediately.
“The president’s veto shows that he places the interests of Saudi Arabia — a regime that brutally murders its own citizens —above the Constitution and the American people,” said Libertarian National Committee Chair Nicholas Sarwark. “Trump is also catering to the defense contractors who sell them weapons. Saudi Arabia’s indiscriminate bombing of Yemen should not be done with American help or American weapons. We urge Congress to vote to override the president’s veto and end these unconstitutional hostilities.”
U.S. involvement in the Yemeni war has long exceeded constitutional bounds by providing vehicles, explosives, strategic planning, and logistical support — all of which constitute an act of war, which has not been authorized by Congress despite having the exclusive constitutional authority to declare war. There has been no congressional authorization of military force in Yemen, and no congressional authorization of war in Yemen.
The Libertarian Party has in recent months applauded Trump’s stated intentions of scaling back U.S. involvement in overseas military conflict, but good intentions matter far less than the poor results that have followed. Despite his rhetoric, Trump has demonstrated no inclination to follow through on any minor antiwar sentiments he may have previously voiced.
“Trump’s veto of ending U.S. military involvement in Yemen should end any lingering hope that the president has a peaceful international agenda,” Sarwark said. “He’s willing to say whatever he thinks is politically expedient from day to day, but he has demonstrated only subservience to special interests, to the murderous Saudi regime, and to war profiteers.”
It’s now up to Congress to summon the political will to override Trump’s veto and put a stop to American involvement in the tragic Yemeni war. Calling or emailing both your senators and your representatives and explaining to them why they should support a withdrawal from Yemen can make a practical difference on this crucial issue.
