FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2023
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
Dr. Rand Paul Demands Answers Concerning U.S. Troops Deployed in Niger Amidst Military Coup
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding answers regarding U.S. troops deployed in Niger and the additional dangers the over 1,000 servicemembers stationed there face amidst a military coup.
Dr. Paul writes in the letter:
“Congress never voted to authorize U.S. combat operations in Niger. The tragic deaths of four U.S. soldiers–Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, Sergeant La David Johnson, and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright –should have served as the catalyst to end our operations there. Yet, the Biden Administration continues to cite the 9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which was narrowly tailored to bring justice to those who played a role in the 2001 terrorist attacks, to justify the presence of approximately 1,016 U.S. troops in Niger.”
You can read the full letter HERE.
Background:
The 2001 AUMF was passed days after the attacks of 9/11 to bring the terrorists responsible to justice. The wording of the 2001 AUMF was precisely worded to authorize the President to make war on those who attacked us on 9/11 or anyone who harbored them.
Since its passage, administrations of both parties have used the 2001 AUMF to justify acts of war in over 20 countries, from Afghanistan to Libya, to Somalia, to Yemen and now Niger. By not repealing the 2001 AUMF any President alone has the ability to decide where and when to engage in hostilities without congressional approval.
Dr. Paul has consistently fought to return and keep war powers in Congress like our Founding Fathers intended. In March, the Senate took a step in the right direction and repealed the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. Dr. Paul introduced an amendment to the effort that would have additionally repealed the 2001 AUMF – the final vote tally of his amendment was 9-86.
You can learn more about Dr. Paul’s efforts HERE.
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