Presidents at War

James K. Polk promised to serve one term and started a war that seized half of Mexico. He kept his promise — then died 103 days after leaving office.

Jimmy Carter is the only president since WWII who didn't send US troops into a new armed conflict.

Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, jailed 13,000 political prisoners, and shut down 300 newspapers during the Civil War — all without congressional approval.

George W. Bush's 'War on Terror' has cost more (inflation-adjusted) than World War II, but Congress never formally declared war.

Dwight Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander of WWII, warned America about the 'military-industrial complex' in his farewell address.

Harry Truman sent 1.8 million troops to Korea without asking Congress, calling it a 'police action' — setting the precedent for every undeclared war since.

Richard Nixon secretly bombed Cambodia for 14 months, dropping more bombs than were dropped on Japan in all of WWII, without telling Congress.

Thomas Jefferson sent the Navy to fight the Barbary Pirates without congressional authorization — the first presidential war power grab.