Trump criticizes House Democrats over war powers bill after telling lawmakers to vote their heart

President Trump criticized House Democrats on Wednesday over an impending vote on legislation to repeal the 2002 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF), claiming Democrats “want to make it harder for Presidents to defend America” hours after urging lawmakers to vote their conscience on the bill. 

“With Votes in the House tomorrow, Democrats want to make it harder for Presidents to defend America, and stand up to, as an example, Iran. Protect our GREAT COUNTRY!” Trump tweeted Wednesday evening.

With Votes in the House tomorrow, Democrats want to make it harder for Presidents to defend America, and stand up to, as an example, Iran. Protect our GREAT COUNTRY!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

Trump went on to claim that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) “wants Congress to take away authority Presidents use to stand up to other countries and defend AMERICANS.”

“Stand with your Commander in Chiefs!” Trump tweeted.

Nancy Pelosi wants Congress to take away authority Presidents use to stand up to other countries and defend AMERICANS. Stand with your Commander in Chiefs!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

The president’s statements seemed to depart from his tweet Wednesday morning, when he urged House lawmakers to vote their hearts on the legislation, which seemed to give the greenlight to Republicans to vote in favor of the bill. The White House has threatened to veto it.

“On the Iraq War Resolution being voted on tomorrow in the House of Represenatives, we are down to 5000 soldiers, and going down, and I want everyone, Republican and Democrat, to vote their HEART!” Trump tweeted earlier Wednesday.

On the Iraq War Resolution being voted on tomorrow in the House of Represenatives, we are down to 5000 soldiers, and going down, and I want everyone, Republican and Democrat, to vote their HEART!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

The House is expected to vote Thursday to repeal the 2002 AUMF that authorized the Iraq War during the George W. Bush administration.

Lawmakers of both parties have been critical of how the measure has been used by presidents to justify military action over the years.

The vote comes amid an effort by Democrats to reign in Trump’s ability to engage in military conflict with Iran as tensions between Washington and Tehran run high. 

It follows a vote in the Democrat-controlled House earlier this month on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting the president’s power to go to war with Iran. A trio of Republicans voted in favor of that bill though it’s unclear whether the vote Thursday will receive any GOP support. 

Republicans have expressed anger over a planned move by Democrats to consider the war powers vote alongside a commemorative coin bill, saying it is designed to block them from making changes to it.