Partisan Drop in Authorization Support

When an executive uses force, public opinion about whether the president should seek congressional authorization can shift rapidly — especially within the president’s base. The YouGov/Economist poll shows Republicans moved sharply against requiring pre‑authorization after the Venezuela strikes (from 58% before to 21% after), signaling a partisan erosion of a key constitutional norm. — A falling partisan consensus in favor of congressional authorization for force reduces institutional checks on unilateral military action and reshapes how democracies will regulate the use of force.