Bipartisan Fury on Capitol Hill as Congress Democrats and Top Republicans Condemns Donald Trump’s Surprise Military Strike on Sokoto, Nigeria, Saying Lawmakers Were Never Consulted, Says The President Cannot Act Alone in that situation as it’s not an emergency as they demand immediate investigation and action

Congress Condemns Trump’s Surprise Strike on Sokoto, Nigeria, Demands Immediate Investigation

Washington, D.C. — A rare wave of bipartisan outrage swept through the U.S. Congress after former President Donald Trump ordered a surprise military strike on Sokoto, Nigeria, without consulting congressional leaders, triggering sharp questions about presidential authority, legality, and oversight.

Democratic lawmakers and several senior Republicans said they were blindsided by the operation, describing it as a unilateral act that bypassed Congress and violated long-standing constitutional norms governing the use of military force. Lawmakers stressed that no immediate or clearly defined emergency had been presented to justify the president acting alone.

“This was not an imminent threat, and it was not an emergency,” a senior Democratic lawmaker said. “Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to authorize military action. The president does not get to act by himself simply because he chooses to.”

Top Republicans echoed the concern, signaling an unusual moment of unity across party lines. One senior Republican member of Congress said the lack of consultation was “deeply troubling” and warned that allowing such actions to go unchecked could set a dangerous precedent for future presidents.

“The issue here is not partisan,” the lawmaker said. “It’s about the separation of powers. Congress must be consulted before military force is used, except in the most urgent circumstances. That standard was not met.”

According to multiple congressional aides, leadership from both chambers received no advance briefing before the strike, learning of the operation only after it had already been carried out. Several lawmakers said this violated the War Powers Resolution, which requires the president to notify Congress and seek authorization when engaging U.S. forces in hostilities.

The strike on Sokoto has also raised concerns about its potential impact on U.S.–Africa relations and regional stability in northern Nigeria. Lawmakers warned that uncoordinated military actions risk escalating tensions abroad while undermining diplomatic efforts already underway in the region.

In response, congressional leaders are now calling for an immediate investigation into the decision-making process behind the strike. Proposed actions include classified briefings, oversight hearings, and a formal review of whether the operation complied with U.S. law.

“This cannot be allowed to stand,” one lawmaker said. “If Congress does not assert its authority now, future presidents will continue to ignore it.”

The Trump team has defended the action, arguing that the president has broad authority as commander-in-chief to protect U.S. interests. However, legal experts note that such authority is not unlimited and must be balanced against Congress’s explicit power to declare war and authorize military engagements.

As pressure mounts, lawmakers from both parties say the controversy could reignite a broader debate over presidential war powers and whether Congress should take stronger steps to reclaim its constitutional role.

For now, the Sokoto strike has sparked a political firestorm in Washington, with one clear message from Capitol Hill: acting alone is no longer acceptable, and accountability is coming.