In recent days the White House narrative around the operation and its rationale for the strike have grown increasingly murky. In those statements the president made no effort to legally ground his decision to order the strike that, he said, claimed 11 lives. Political leaders who wish to ensure that acts meant to defend law and order rise above criminality must “carefully and stringently abide by the applicable law in suppressing crime,” Dr. O’Connell said. Since his inauguration, Mr. Trump dropped 30,000-pound bombs on Iranian nuclear sites without a new War Powers authorization from Congress. The demonstration effect can also work positively, Dr. O’Connell added.