In defending his Libya mission, President Obama overruled the advice of top lawyers from the Pentagon and the Justice Department, who told him that U.S. engagement there fell under “hostilities” and was thereby subject to congressional approval after 60 days, according to officials who spoke to The New York Times. The president’s rejection of that counsel allowed him to circumvent the War Powers Resolution and continue military action in Gaddafi’s war-torn nation. Sources say several members of the White House security team agreed with Obama—though several high-profile lawmakers beg to differ, some even filing a lawsuit arguing their case.
