They Say This Isn't a War. Their Actions Speak Otherwise - Leah Litman - America at a Crossroads

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In this interview, constitutional law scholar Leah Litman breaks down the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela—and explains why they violate both international law and the U.S. Constitution.

Litman explains why military force cannot be justified as “law enforcement,” how the Constitution limits presidential war powers, and why Congress—not the president—holds the authority to initiate war. She also examines the administration’s reliance on the Alien Enemies Act, and why its stated rationale collapses under legal scrutiny.

This conversation looks at international law, domestic constitutional limits, and what happens when executive power is stretched beyond what the law allows. - 01/12/2026.

📘 Guest: Leah Litman, Consititutional Law Professor
🎙️ Host: Madeleine Brand, Host of "Press Play" on KCRW-FM
📅 Recorded Jan 2026