The tonkin gulf resolution gave president johnson specific permission to

To oppose the communists.

Explanation:

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed the president Lyndon Johnson to take the necessary steps to repel attacks against the US forces and prevent aggression by the communist government of North Vietnam and to promote the international security and peace in the Southeast Asia.

The resolution was passed by the Congress on August 7, 1964. It almost gave Lyndon B. Johnson almost unlimited powers to deal with the communists in Vietnam.