The domestic reactions in the United States after the 2011 military intervention in Libya ranged from criticism to support. Unlike the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, which were carried out largely without external intervention, the brutal reaction of the Gaddafi regime to the protests that began in January and February 2011 quickly made it clear that the Libyan opposition forces would not be able to achieve political progress or to overthrow their government by themselves. In light of ongoing serious human rights violations, the United Nations Security Council established a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized the member states of the UN to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack. Two days later, a coalition of states—including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—began to carry out air strikes against military targets in Libya. By the end of March 2011, NATO had taken over the international military operation in Libya. With the support of NATO, the insurgents successively took power in Libya, gaining control over the capital, Tripoli, in August and over Sirte, the last city held by the Gaddafi regime, in October 2011. During the fights over Sirte, Gaddafi was killed. With the insurgents taking control over most of the country and being recognized as the legitimate (transitional) government of Libya by much of the international community, a change in the Libyan regime has taken place.

Opposition

Political institutions

On June 3, 2011, the United States House of Representatives passed . The resolution stated the "President has failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale" for the military campaign in Libya, and said the "President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya unless the purpose of the presence is to rescue a member of the Armed Forces from imminent danger" and gave him, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General 14 days to explain his strategy in Libya and to convince Congress the attacks are justified by U.S. interests.

Another resolution voted on the same day, , and co-sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans, ordered Obama to withdraw forces from Libya. It failed 148–265."A US Congress Unwilling to Exercise Its War Powers", Kevin Gosztola. Wiki Leaks Central. June 4, 2011. Accessed June 7, 2011 The resolution was supported by 87 Republicans, highlighting a party shifting toward non-interventionism."The Kucinich Republicans", Wall Street Journal. June 6, 2011. Accessed June 7, 2011.

Later in the month, a resolution introduced in the Senate by Jim Webb and Bob Corker required the White House to seek Senate and House approval before continuing the mission, while also seeking a ban on U.S. ground troops in the operation. Another resolution introduced by John Kerry and John McCain, and co-sponsored by Carl Levin,"Levin: No ‘clear sentiment’ in Senate to end American role in Libyan campaign", John T. Bennett. The Hill. June 10, 2011. Accessed June 10, 2011 sought to approve of the mission, but was facing abandonment, with reports indicating a fracture was occurring within the chamber."Libyan Conflict Begins to Fracture Senate" , David M. Drucker. Roll Call. June 8, 2011. Accessed June 9, 2011"Senators Briefed on Libya Disagree About Next Step", ABC News. June 9, 2011. Accessed June 9, 2011"Corker co-sponsors Libya resolution", DNJ. June 8, 2011. Accessed June 9, 2011"Kerry may scrap Libya resolution", Seattle Post Intelligencer. June 8, 2011. Accessed June 9, 2011

On June 3, the House passed a resolution 268–145 offered by Speaker John Boehner, calling for a withdrawal of the United States military from the air and naval operations in and around Libya. It demanded that the administration provide, within 14 days, detailed information about the nature, cost and objectives of the American contribution to the NATO operation, as well as an explanation of why the president did not come to Congress for permission to continue to take part in the mission."House Rebukes Obama for Continuing Libyan Mission Without Its Consent" by Jennifer Steinhauer

On June 13, the House passed another resolution 248–163 prohibiting the use of funds for operations in the conflict, with 110 Democrats and 138 Republicans voting in favor."On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 6 to H R 2055", GovTrack. June 13, 2011. Accessed June 14, 2011"House passes another Libya rebuke of Obama", David Fahrentold. Washington Post. June 13, 2011. Accessed June 14, 2011 On June 14, Walter Jones (R-NC) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced a lawsuit against the Obama administration, joined by 6 Republicans and 2 Democrats."Reps. Kucinich, Jones to file suit against Obama on Libyan war", Pete Kasperowicz. The Hill. June 14, 2011. Accessed June 14, 2011"Kucinich, other House members file lawsuit against Obama on Libya military mission", Felicia Sonmez. Washington Post. June 15, 2011. Accessed June 15, 2011

On June 24, the House rejected Joint Resolution 68, which would have provided the Obama administration with authorization to continue military operations in Libya for up to one year. The majority of Republicans voted against the resolution, while Democrats were split, with 115 in favor of military involvement and 70 against. Despite its failure to obtain legal approval from Congress, the Obama administration continued to provide the bulk of the military support for the NATO operation until the overthrow of Gaddafi in October. Before the official termination of Operation Unified Protector, US Permanent Representative to NATO Ivo Daalder said that "the United States led in this operation... It led in the planning of the operation, it led in getting the mandate for the operation, and it led in the execution of the operation... the United States conducted more sorties than any other country in this operation, twenty six percent."

Reactions from individuals

Political figures Former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader condemned US president Barack Obama's action in Libya.McMaster, Nick (March 21, 2011). "Ralph Nader: Impeach 'War Criminal' Obama – If Bush, Cheney Were Criminals, Obama Is Too". Newser. Retrieved April 23, 2011. Nader branded Obama as "war criminal"Avlon, John P.; essay (March 23, 2011). "Left's View on Libya: Is This Bush's Third Term?". CNN. Retrieved April 23, 2011. and called for his impeachment.O'Reilly, Bill; essay (March 27, 2011). "A Noble Fight in Libya" Boston Herald. Retrieved April 23, 2011. Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich suggested that Barack Obama could be impeached. Kucinich said Obama's action in Libya was "a grave decision that cannot be made by the president alone". He also claimed Obama violated the Constitution by failing to seek the approval of the Congress first.Staff writer (March 23, 2011). "Everyone's a Critic: Obama's Growing List of Libya Dissenters. The Week. Retrieved April 23, 2011. Republican politician and former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney said the Libya policy shows Obama is "tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced." Writing an op-ed in The New York Times, Al Hunt criticized the respective remarks made by both men. Libertarian Republican Congressman Ron Paul said, "The no-fly zone is unconstitutional because Congress has not authorized it." Republican Representative Candice Miller called for the U.S. to pull its troops out of the coalition forces in Libya. Miller said, "Mr. President, you have failed to state a clear and convincing explanation of the vital national interest at stake which demands our intervention in Libya. You have failed to state a clearly defined mission for our military to defend that interest".Allen, Jonathan (March 23, 2011). "Candice Miller to Obama: Pull Out of Coalition". Politico. Retrieved April 23, 2011. Republican politician, former House Speaker and 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich described the military intervention as an "opportunistic amateurism without planning or professionalism" although on a March 7 interview with Greta Van Susteren, Gingrich called for the imposition of a Libyan no-fly zone. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) stated that Obama's decision to begin military attacks on a foreign country without the approval of Congress sets a dangerous precedent, saying: "The issue ... is whether a president ... can unilaterally begin and continue a military campaign for reasons that he alone has defined as meeting the demanding standards of a vital national interest worthy of risking American lives and expending billions of dollars of our taxpayers' money." Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a Tea Party backed freshman U.S. senator, remained a staunch early opponent of the war, citing ignorance on the Obama administration's part over the identity of the rebels, citing ties on their part to Al-Qaeda.

Activist After the US troops launched 110 Tomahawk missiles at military targets in Libya, documentary filmmaker and democratic socialist activist Michael Moore suggested that Obama should return his Nobel Peace Prize and tweeted in his official Twitter account, "May I suggest a 50-mile evacuation zone around Obama's Nobel Peace Prize?"Fabian, Jordan (March 19, 2011). "Michael Moore Rips Obama over Libya". The Hill's Twitter Room (blog of The Hill). Retrieved April 23, 2011.Staff writer (March 20, 2011). "Filmmaker Michael Moore Rips President Obama over Libya". Fox News. Retrieved April 23, 2011. He also tweeted "We have neither the troops, stomach, or $$ to fight a ground war for months/years to defeat (Muammar Gaddafi)".Blas, Lorena (March 20, 2011). "Documentary Maker Michael Moore Critical About Action on Libya". USA Today. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

Political organizations The Libertarian Party opposed the US military intervention and LP Chair Mark Hinkle in a statement described the position of the Libertarian Party: "President Obama's decision to order military attacks on Libya is only surprising to those who actually think he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. He has now ordered bombing strikes in six different countries, adding Libya to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen."Press release (March 20, 2011). "They Hate Us Because We Bomb Them, Says Libertarian Chair" . Libertarian Party. Retrieved April 23, 2011.Devine, James J.; essay (March 25, 2011). "Voice of the People: This Used To Be a Free Country" . njtoday.net. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

Public protests

Anti-war demonstrations were held in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Iowa City, Iowa, Saint Paul, Minnesota and Philadelphia to protest against the military intervention in Libya.

Mixed The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), an organization of progressive Democrats, said that the United States should conclude its campaign against Libyan air defenses as soon as possible. In particular, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, California Reps. Mike Honda, Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee said in a joint statement, "The United States must immediately shift to end the bombing in Libya. Rest assured we will fight in Congress to ensure the United States does not become embroiled in yet another destabilizing military quagmire in Libya with no clear exit plan or diplomatic strategy for peace."

Support

Reaction from individuals

Political figures In his weekly radio address, U.S. President Barack Obama defended the no-fly zone arguing, "in just one month, the United States has worked with our international partners to mobilize a broad coalition, secure an international mandate to protect civilians, stop an advancing army, prevent a massacre, and establish a no-fly zone with our allies and partners."