Part 5/9:
The crux of the discussion expands into the boundaries of executive power, particularly whether the president can act unilaterally in unprecedented situations such as alleged invasions or threats to national security. Contrasting viewpoints emerge, with McCarthy urging the necessity of a congressional declaration of war as a fundamental prerequisite for any decisive action from the executive branch. The notion that a mere presidential declaration could suffice is hotly debated, with McCarthy arguing that a historical precedent must guide contemporary rulings.