On Sunday, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer announced plans to introduce a resolution under the War Powers Act aimed at preventing any further military operations against Venezuela. This declaration follows an alarming post by former President Donald Trump, which stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been arrested in Caracas during an operation allegedly supported by American military forces.
During an appearance on “This Week” with host George Stephanopoulos, Schumer criticized the operation, describing it as “lawlessness” and asserting the necessity for Congress to act. He expressed concern that the American public was left “scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear” regarding Trump’s military proposals, which he argued could lead to further instability in the region.
According to Schumer, the United States has a history of costly nation-building efforts that yield adverse outcomes. “When America tries to regime change and nation-building in this way, the American people pay the price, in both blood and in dollars,” he stated. Schumer contended that the Trump administration lacked the legal authority to execute such military actions, claiming they had not secured the requisite congressional authorization.
In a press conference on the same day, Trump asserted that the U.S. was effectively “running” Venezuela, indicating that senior officials, including Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, would oversee operations. Schumer emphasized the severity of the situation, mentioning that the military action involved bombing both civilian and military sites, which he deemed a clear violation of the law.
The operation drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including prominent media figures like podcasters Keith Olbermann and Dean Obeidallah, who called for Trump’s impeachment over the military actions. Congressional Democrats joined in denouncing the operation as an illegal war, with Schumer accusing Trump administration officials of misleading both the American public and Congress.
Stephanopoulos raised the question of what actions Congress could take in response. Schumer reiterated the importance of the War Powers Act, explaining that it is a privileged resolution that cannot be blocked by Republicans. He noted that he, alongside Tim Kaine and Rand Paul, would sponsor the resolution, which he expects to bring to the floor this week. If passed in both houses, it would require the President to seek congressional approval for any further actions in Venezuela.
Interestingly, Schumer’s stance contrasts sharply with his comments from 2020, when he criticized Trump for not taking decisive action against Maduro, who had been indicted on drug trafficking charges earlier that year. At that time, Schumer remarked, “The President brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn’t brought an end to the Maduro regime.”
As the political landscape surrounding U.S. involvement in Venezuela evolves, the proposed resolution could have significant implications for future military oversight and foreign policy.
