What Is the Draft? – By Alexa Lardieri (US News) / Jan 6 2020
After a U.S. attack on Iran’s top security and intelligence commander, Americans fear war in the Middle East and a return to the draft.
Fears of war broke out in the U.S. and the phrase “World War III” started trending on Twitter following a U.S. attack in Iraq last Friday that resulted in the death of top Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.
So many Americans visited the website of the government agency responsible for the military draft that it crashed.
The Selective Service System registers men for the draft and maintains a system that “rapidly provides personnel in a fair and equitable manner” should the president and Congress determine that “a return to the draft is required.”
The agency tweeted on Friday that it was “conducting business as usual” and a draft was not imminent. If a national emergency required a draft, Congress and the president would need to pass legislation to authorize it.
Shortly after the tweet, the SSS said its website was “experiencing high traffic volumes” due to the “spread of misinformation.” It advised people attempting to register or verify registration to check back later.
There hasn’t been a draft since 1973, when it was abolished after opposition to the Vietnam War. In order for it to be reinstated, Congress would have to pass a law and President Donald Trump would have to sign it.
Continue to article: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-01-06/what-is-the-draft-americans-fear-war-following-us-attack-on-iranian-military-leader
