politics
January 3, 2026
Trump's removal of Maduro prompts questions from Congress
Congressional lawmakers say they were not briefed before President Donald Trump launched a land attack on Venezuela and deposed President Nicolas Maduro.
TL;DR
- Democrats are questioning the legality of President Trump's military action in Venezuela, asserting that Congress has the primary authority to declare war.
- Republicans largely supported the removal of Maduro but many stated they were not briefed by the administration beforehand.
- President Trump defended the lack of congressional briefing by citing concerns about leaks and stated the operation was a law enforcement function.
- Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including narco-terrorism.
- Some Republicans, like Sen. Mike Lee, initially questioned the constitutionality but later stated it likely falls within the president's inherent authority.
- Other Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, questioned the consistency of U.S. foreign policy, comparing the action to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Continue reading the original article