Linguistics: When saying a reason which one is it?

[Esmjdeed]

Assuming John is the president and he declared war, what is the reason the war started

“The war started because John declared it”

“The war started because John is the president and he declared it”

[Xhuy_006]

Can't go on an assumption... But I don't get the problem that needs identification... Logically speaking, war may not have started simply through a declaration... Much less on an assumed position

[MTC29]

As President of [name the country- which cannot be the USA because the President lacks that power], John declared war.