Even though the Nigerian strike happened a week ago, it’s worth a quick note. My buddy Mac (also a vet) and I were talking, and we both agree: we need to revisit the AUMF.
Even if you support the morality and legality of the recent strikes, you have to ask if they truly serve our national interest. More importantly, we have to think about who gets these powers next.
If a Democrat president with anti-Israel leanings takes office, these same broad military powers could be used to pivot against our allies. While no party is immune to anti-Semitism, the trend on the left is particularly concerning. We need to fix the AUMF before it’s used in ways we never intended.
The bottom line is that the AUMF has become a ‘blank check.’ While veterans may trust the current administration to use it against real threats, terrorists and drug cartels, we are leaving the door wide open for a future leader—perhaps one with deep-seated biases—to redefine who our ‘enemies’ are.
If a president can unilaterally decide that an ally is now a ‘threat to stability,’ our entire foreign policy framework could crumble overnight. As veterans, Mac and I believe the only way to protect our interests and our allies like Israel is to repeal and replace these outdated authorizations with strict, clear limits.
Percentages of Democrats vs Republicans on Israel
Some might question the extent of antisemitism on the left, but the data is becoming impossible to ignore. When you look at the recent numbers from major tracking organizations, the surge is staggering. We are seeing a decisive shift where radical leftist ideology has overtaken other groups as a primary driver of antisemitic incidents, particularly through the lens of anti-Israel activism. It’s no longer just a ‘fringe’ issue; it’s a measurable trend that should concern anyone worried about the future of American foreign policy and the safety of our allies.
Recent polls indicate a significant partisan divide in views of Israel regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March 2025, 69% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have an unfavorable view of Israel, compared to 37% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. This shift has been more pronounced among Democrats, with negative views rising from 53% in 2022 to 69% in 2025, while Republican negative views increased from 27% to 37% over the same period. Reference 1 | Reference 2
These figures reflect broader trends, with Democrats showing increasing sympathy for Palestinians (59% sympathize more with Palestinians vs. 21% with Israelis) and Republicans maintaining stronger support for Israel (75% sympathize with Israelis vs. 10% with Palestinians), as noted in a Gallup poll from February 2025.
