Bay Area lawmakers question Pres. Trump’s authority in Venezuela
Bay Area lawmakers are raising constitutional questions about the Trump administration’s surprise operation in Venezuela over the weekend.
Democrats argue the move could bypass Congress and violate the War Powers Act, while Republicans say the president is largely acting within his own authority.
“This is an attack on another country. And this is an act of war,” said John Garamendi, a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Garamendi said the administration did not seek permission from Congress before moving forward, and his committee received “zero” indication of what was planned.
“The congress continues,” he said. “Congress must assert its authority and put an end to this.”
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He also questioned whether the White House had considered consequences beyond the initial operation.
“I’m not sure they are considering the second step,” said Garamendi, noting that Venezuela was not among the US’s military priorities until recently.
Other Bay Area Democrats voiced similar concerns, calling for answers to the basic questions of time, risk and cost that Congress is tasked with evaluating under the Constitution.
“I want to know how quickly we can get Venezuela to decide the future of Venezuela,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, told CNN. “When will our troops come out…how much will this operation cost?”
Republicans pushed back, arguing that the president had the authority to act without prior congressional approval.
Orange County Rep. Young Kim, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the administration has already established evidence for the operation.
“They’ve built a very, very strong case to this point that doesn’t require congressional approval,” Kim said. He added that a US presence is not the same as deploying troops and said “there is no war”.
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The Trump administration’s military action against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro sparked harsh reactions in the Gulf Region.
Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said this distinction does not absolve Congress of its constitutional responsibilities.
“It’s a great affront to Congress and the Constitution that they think they can do this,” Boxer said. “Congress needs to be informed. This is the Constitution. The War Powers Act. That’s clear.”
Boxer said it’s positive that Nicolás Maduro is now indicted in the United States, but the larger concern is that it sets a precedent.
“I think it’s great that he’s in custody. But the question is: What are they doing? What are their plans?” he said.
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Drawing on his experience opposing the Iraq War, Boxer warned that military actions often extend beyond their original scope, even if lawmakers are told they will be limited or short-lived.
“You don’t know what could happen,” he said. “These are difficult. If Americans can enter wherever they want in South America, Central America and Latin America in general, what does this mean to Putin? What does this mean to Iran? What does this mean to China?”
The debate is expected to continue as members of Congress receive classified briefings from the administration. Kim said briefings will be given to both the House and Senate Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, where lawmakers will likely press the White House on legal authority.
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