AUMF

The Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) is a legislative approval granted by Congress to the President, allowing the military to take specific actions against certain threats, typically in the context of terrorism. It provides legal authorization for the executive branch to conduct military operations without needing a new declaration of war for each situation. For example, the 2001 AUMF authorized actions against those responsible for the September 11 attacks and related terrorist groups, shaping U.S. military responses over recent decades. It serves as a legal framework balancing executive authority and congressional oversight during national security emergencies.