A TV displays U.S. President Donald Trump's prime-time address on the war in Iran inside a Cheesecake Factory on April 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

May 1, 2026, marks the 60th day of Operation Epic Fury in Iran – a symbolically significant date designating when a president who has mounted unilateral military operations must receive Congressional approval or wind it down.

However, the complex history of the War Powers Resolution clock demonstrates it is a toothless milestone.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.