Senators Act to Curb Trump’s Military Action in Venezuela

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in a move to prevent President Donald Trump from initiating a unilateral military action against Venezuela.

Kaine expressed his concerns in a statement, saying, “The Constitution gives Congress, and Congress alone, the power to declare war. President Trump’s threats to attack illegal ships and invade Venezuela are clear overreaches of his power. I introduced the bipartisan War Powers Resolution to prevent President Trump from starting a new forever war.”

Under the Trump administration, several airstrikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels have already occurred, mainly in the Caribbean.

Recently, Trump warned about potential ground operations in Venezuela, claiming his administration had sent “murderers” to the U.S.

Kaine, further criticizing the White House, said, “Despite President Trump’s vocal opposition to war, his administration is moving us closer to one without disclosing crucial information about the campaign’s overall strategy, its legal justification, and the possible consequences, such as increased migration.”

He pointed out the government’s stance on military action as necessary to tackle drugs while also opposing measures that would support those convicted of drug trafficking. “We should not risk military lives in operations inside Venezuela without thorough debate in Congress. It’s a congressional responsibility to declare war.”

Paul added, “The American people do not want to be dragged into an endless war with Venezuela without public discussion and votes. We need to adhere to what the Constitution mandates: deliberation before war.”

During a cabinet meeting, Trump placed the responsibility for drug-related deaths on traffickers but noted a decrease in those numbers since initiating airstrikes. He mentioned plans for land operations, stating, “The land is much easier. We know their routes. We know where the bad guys live.”

This sentiment was reiterated when discussing recent attacks ordered by Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, leading to casualties among survivors of initial strikes. Bradley is set to brief Congress on these operations soon.

Trump remarked on the deaths from drug overdoses, asserting, “You will see this as a war, and they were killing our people.” He expressed confidence in the tactical understanding of the drug trade operations, indicating that land strikes would commence soon.

The senators have committed to opposing any military engagement in Venezuela should Trump move forward with an attack.

The White House was approached for comments, with press secretary Anna Kelly stating, “As President Trump has said, all options are on the table as we address the threat of narco-terrorism that contributes to countless American deaths.” She emphasized that military actions taken were against designated narco-terrorists operating in international waters, underscoring the administration’s authority to act under international relations to protect U.S. interests.

A joint resolution introduced by the senators calls for the President to cease military actions against Venezuela without explicit authorization from Congress, while still maintaining the right for the U.S. to defend against imminent threats.

Earlier this year, Kaine, Paul, and Schiff attempted a similar initiative, but it faced obstacles, with only a couple of Republican senators supporting it.