The 2001 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) authorizes the president to use force against “those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons.” But presidents have steadily interpreted the 2001 AUMF to be broader than these words may at first glance suggest. The Obama administration, picking up on Bush-era arguments, maintained in 2009 that the 2001 AUMF covers “associated forces” of al Qaeda, and courts have since agreed. Then, in 2014, the Obama administration extended the 2001 AUMF to include the Islamic State..