Final answer:
The Constitution does not assign the power to declare war to the President; this power is exclusive to Congress. The President can direct military action and lead the armed forces, but Congress retains the power to fund and legislate for military actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Constitution of the United States assigns the President various military and war powers, including serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the power to engage the military and enter into international treaties and agreements. However, one military power not assigned to the president by the Constitution is the power to declare war, which is explicitly given to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11. The president can engage military forces as a response to threats and can enter into executive agreements without Senate consent, but only Congress has the authority to declare war, a power that has been reinforced by the passing of the War Powers Resolution in 1973.
It is also pertinent to note that while the president may command the military and commit troops for a limited time, Section 8 Clause 12 of the Constitution ensures that Congress has the "power of the purse," meaning they have the final say on military funding. This acts as a check on the President's authority, reinforcing the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.