White House Releases War Powers Notice on Evacuation of Khartoum

On April 23, the White House published a letter addressed to the speaker of the House and president pro tempore of the Senate informing them of the deployment of U.S.Armed Forces personnel to Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan in order to evacuate “United States personnel and others” from Khartoum amidst the outbreak of fighting there.

The president’s letter describes the notice as “part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.” 

You can read the letter here, or below:

Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148)

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

At my direction, United States Armed Forces personnel have conducted an operation to evacuate United States personnel and others from Khartoum, Sudan, in response to the deteriorating security situation in Sudan.  To conduct and support this operation, United States Armed Forces personnel with appropriate combat equipment deployed to Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan.  United States Armed Forces personnel will remain deployed in Djibouti to protect United States personnel and others until the security situation no longer requires their presence, and additional forces are prepared to deploy to the region if required.

I directed this action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148).  I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions.