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Trump Bypasses Congress for $660M Israel Arms Sale

3/9/2026

30 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration bypassed Congress to approve a weapons sale to Israel, citing an emergency.
The State Department announced the sale of more than 20,000 bombs, valued at nearly $660 million, including 12,000 one-ton bombs.
Strikes against Iran began February 28, 2026, and Congress has not authorized the war, raising questions about the transfer’s legality.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. and Israel's military partnership deepened with a historic $38 billion aid package finalized in 2016, the largest in U.S. history. This included funding for the Iron Dome, which has intercepted thousands of rockets since its 2011 deployment. Recent bypassing of Congress for a $660 million arms sale revives debates on executive power in military decisions, echoing past controversies in U.S. foreign policy.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration bypassed Congress to approve a weapons sale to Israel, citing an emergency.
The State Department announced the sale of more than 20,000 bombs, valued at nearly $660 million, including 12,000 one-ton bombs.
Strikes against Iran began February 28, 2026, and Congress has not authorized the war, raising questions about the transfer’s legality.

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