Heading to the beach, perhaps our Fortress of Solitude on the Island, so I’m frontloading the weekend “pages” starting with our Editorial section. Here’s Scott Perry’s column about Presidential power and Keith Throckmorton’s rather shocking column — one of my favorite Throckmorton columns — about a man who spent the night with a transvestite who stole his car.

From Truman to Trump — The Evolution of Executive Power

BY SCOTT PERRY

From Truman to Trump, and now with the “Midnight Hammer” airstrikes, America has watched its Presidents assume an ever-expanding role as the architects of military action.

What began in 1950, when Harry Truman sent troops to Korea without a formal declaration of war, has evolved into a decades-long practice wherein the Executive Branch acts first — relying on prior congressional authorizations and the Commander-in-Chief clause — and consults Congress later, if at all.

In June 1950, President Truman acted swiftly when North Korea crossed the 38th parallel, invoking his role as Commander-in-Chief and relying on United Nations resolutions. Though he received congressional appropriations, he never sought a formal declaration of war, setting a precedent for future presidents to justify military action through existing constitutional and statutory authorities.

After Vietnam exposed the risks of this trend, Congress responded with the War Powers Resolution, a measure intended to “reassert” its constitutional role. Its framework required the President to notify Congress of any military action within 48 hours, to obtain congressional authorization within 60–90 days for any ongoing hostilities, and to withdraw forces if no approval was granted. President Trump adhered closely to these standards when he ordered the 2020 airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, notifying Congress within 48 hours and relying upon the expansive 2001 AUMF, an authorization that granted the Executive Branch significant latitude in conducting counterterrorism operations.

Then came the June 21, 2025, “Midnight Hammer” airstrikes, almost 75 years to the date of the beginning of hostilities in the Korean War. (June 25, 1950) In this instance, Trump acted within the scope of the 2001 AUMF, relying on that long-standing authorization, on his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief, and on the War Powers Resolution requirement to submit notice within 48 hours. These strikes weren’t rogue acts; they were conducted within a legal framework that Congress itself created and has refused to revisit in any meaningful way.

This dynamic is compounded by partisanship. Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized presidential military action when the opposing party holds the Oval Office, only to justify it when it suits their interests. Meanwhile, Congress has too often refused to revisit or repeal outdated AUMFs and has neglected its constitutional role in authorizing long-term military commitments. Each new military action expands the gray area between congressional war making authority and executive prerogative.

To address this issue, outdated, open-ended AUMFs must be replaced with mission-specific approvals. The enforcement and penalties of the War Powers Resolution must be strengthened, and Congress must reassert its role by requiring votes and accountability for long-term military operations.

From Truman to Trump, and from Soleimani to the airstrikes of June 21, 2025, the trend is clear: a president can and will act within the authorities granted — and often neglected — by Congress. Until both parties recognize that decisions about war and peace must reflect the will of the people, as expressed through their representatives, this erosion of the constitutional balance will continue. In a nation built upon the separation of powers, reclaiming that balance is not a partisan goal — it is an American one.

A longtime business owner and journalist, Scott Perry is a resident of Edenton.

Peackeeper: SNARES 

BY KEITH THROCKMORTON

This case reminds me of the county song “Almost Persuaded” by David Houston. But, unfortunately, this victim was persuaded, and not worth the cost he paid.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 KJV.

I recall an occasion whereby I was assigned to investigate the theft of an automobile, along with the victims’ s wallet and some personal jewelry – the incident occurred over the previous weekend. The victim was an upper-middle-class white male in his mid-thirties who worked excellently in Washington, DC. I will call him John. He lived in a beautiful home, was married, and had several children. The weekend of the incident, John’s wife and children were out of town visiting her relatives, leaving John alone with time on his hands.

When I contacted John to meet him to begin my follow-up investigation, he pleaded with me not to come to his home, where the incident occurred. Instead, John wanted to meet with me in a remote shopping center from his residence. He did not want his neighbors to recognize my unmarked, obvious police vehicle or me as a detective.  John did not want his neighbors to know that he had been a victim of a crime; most importantly, he did not want his wife and children to know the specifics of what had happened. He was embarrassed and visibly distraught over this event in his life. John communicated his love for his wife and children well and wanted them shielded from the truth. As his statement unfolded, I soon understood why.

John went on to explain that on that Saturday night, he was home alone and lonesome. He decided to drive to Washington, DC, to have a cocktail. While enjoying his drink, he met an attractive and intelligent African American female, who I will call Joan. A social conversation ensued, and after a time, John suggested to Joan that they return to his home in Fairfax and continue their cocktails there. John was adamant that their time together was only social conversation over alcoholic beverages and nothing more. He planned to return Joan to DC after a while. John went on to explain that he drank too much and passed out. When he awoke, he found his wallet and jewelry, and the car had vanished, along with Joan.

Three weeks later, John’s car was involved in an automobile accident; the driver was male. John’s car had been badly damaged and was stored in the Metropolitan Police Impound Yard. I will call him Wayne. Wayne was arrested and incarcerated in the Washington, DC, Jail from the lookout that I had posted.

I responded to police headquarters and reviewed Wayne’s criminal record, which was quite lengthy. My follow-up review revealed that Wayne was a notoriously well-known female impersonator with an extensive arrest record. After interrogating Wayne, he quickly confessed to his involvement in my investigation and provided a supporting statement consistent with John’s account of the incident.

I assembled a photograph line-up, including Wayne’s photo as a female, and showed it to John. He immediately identified Wayne as “Joan,” whom he had taken to his home for the evening. John’s wrecked car was recovered, but his money and jewelry were long gone.

Wayne was returned to Virginia for prosecution, and John had to testify in court as the victim. John probably hoped that his car was long gone and would never be recovered, and the theft would be turned over to his insurance company for settlement, that this would only be a private “Skeleton in His Closet,” and no one would ever know the truth. That was the last thing John wanted or believed he would have to do.

My responsibilities were completed; thus, I did not have further conversations with John. I do not know what impact this snare set by Satan had on John or his family. All my life, I have had people tell me that they have never received a traffic violation or were ever arrested. The truth of the matter is they probably were never caught. Everyone has done something; some are apprehended, while others are not. Everyone has been allured into a snare set by Satan at one time or another. Some have had their lives ruined, while others have not.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 NIV.

Keith Throckmorton, Fairfax County Police, (Retired, Chaplain and Virginia State Police Alumni), Hertford, NC.