In September 2019, Rep. Roy published an editorial in The Hill, arguing that Congress needed to assert its Constitutional authority to end our decades-long involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. Congress, Roy wrote, has “abdicated its solemn responsibility under Article 1. Congress needs to come to a consensus regarding which threats and entities necessitate military action, or other appropriate responses.” (“Wars must end — Congress should clarify our mission in the Middle East,” Chip Roy, September 18 2019)
But just months later, when President Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, Roy was quick to show his belly. He issued a press release lauding the President for carrying out the lethal drone strike without notifying Congress, and accused Congressional Democrats—the very same people he said in September should be overseeing U.S. armed conflict—of “hand-wringing about President Trump’s authority.” (“Rep. Chip Roy On The Death Of Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani,” Press Release, January 3, 2020)
Once again, Roy tries to have it both ways: He signals servile obedience to Trump and provides cover for his bad leadership, while still claiming to be a defender of the Constitution.