Originally Posted by Excargodog

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor so Congress declared war on them. Then Germany and Italy - the other two members of the Axis - declared war on us in keeping with their mutual defense pact with Japan. Then Congress declared war on them.

Pretty much everything since then (1942) have been “police actions” since Congress has reneged on their duty to be the ones declaring war ever since and delegated it to the Executive branch for all practical purposes.

So perhaps your question ought to be addressed to Congress who is constitutionally obligated to be the war declarers.