(c)  Presidential executive power as Commander-in-Chief;  limitation The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.  50 U.S.C. § 1541 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 50. War and National Defense § 1541. Purpose and policy