President Obama didn't listen to top lawyers at the Pentagon or Justice Department when they told him he may be violating the War Powers Act by continuing missions in Libya. Jeh C. Johnson, the Pentagon general counsel, and Carline D. Krass, the acting head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, said they believed U.S. activities in Libya amounted to the "hostilities" described by the Vietnam-era legislation. Obama instead opted for the view of other senior members of his legal team that it was indeed legal. All week long, lawmakers and the president have been sparring on whether or not Obama is breaking the law by keeping American troops in Libya without getting Congress' approval within 60 days of military action.
