Posted on 01/03/2026 4:04:34 AM PST by RandFan
Did President Trump seek authority from Congress to attack Venezuela?
The short answer is no. There is no indication that Donald Trump sought or received advance authorization from Congress before ordering the strikes.
Last month, Trump publicly stated that he did not believe congressional approval was required to launch attacks against targets in Venezuela, including strikes on land. He said he might brief Congress but would not seek formal legal authorization.
In December, Republicans, joined by a small number of Democrats, voted down two separate War Powers resolutions in the House of Representatives that would have required congressional approval for future military action against Venezuela. As a result, Congress did not impose new statutory limits on the president’s authority.
What powers does Trump have to attack Venezuela? Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war. However, the president serves as commander in chief of the armed forces, a role that presidents of both parties have interpreted as granting broad authority to use military force without a formal declaration of war.
The key modern statute governing this area is the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Under the law, the president may introduce U.S. forces into hostilities only in limited circumstances, including a national emergency created by an attack on the United States, its territories, or its armed forces. The Trump administration appears to be relying on this emergency rationale in the Venezuela case.
The law also requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing U.S. forces into hostilities or into foreign territory while equipped for combat. As of now, there is no public confirmation that such a notification has been submitted.
Once U.S. forces are introduced into hostilities, the War Powers Resolution gives the president 60 days to withdraw them..
(Excerpt) Read more at en.as.com ...
RandFan wrote: “I hear some senators are livid but we’ll see how it plays out...”
The only members of Congress, other than Rand Paul, livid about this are members of the Democrat party.
This highlights another of Trump’s strengths, his ability to force the democrats to defend unpopular positions.
By the time ‘some fed judge’ tells Trump to send Maduro back we can make sure we do give him back….to those that will hang him from a light post.
Better than Gitmo or a US cell.
Let em squawk!
This is exactly the kind of operation that is possible for the President to succeed in foreign policy.
Most people are ok if this is a specific operation and the outcome successfully executes. As they say winning is everything.
Trump commanded the troops as the Constitution allows.
If Congress doesn’t like it they can defund it as the Constitution allows.
Sorry libertarians the Constitution is not A libertarian document.
yeah when the wicked receive their due, be sure and duck
Well, if the courts require his return, I’m sure the people he tortured and starved will provide a nice reception.
As the Democrats have repeatedly shown us, this is a sucker's game, used only to manipulate the rubes. They don't work that way. Neither can we.
Yes, everybody will hate it when we all play by the same "rules".
The system we imagined we once had, is long gone and it is not coming back. The real system we have is reaching end-of-life crisis and it is still unclear what the replacement system will be. But "being nice to Democrats so when they win the next election, they will be nice to us" is not going to work.
This "War for Oil" thing in Venezuela had better succeed. And we need to expel Russian and Chinese influence there. Knocking out a production and distribution center for fentanyl and other addictive drugs is a huge bonus that is good for selling the deal to the American public. It is not the only reason we are doing this.
She is one of my most favorite Freepers. She always strikes below the waterline.
Zactly
Agree!
I hope they can find one on the west coast of Florida. In a courtroom that has a nice view of the Gulf of America.
If Congress doesn't like it they can defund it as the Constitution allows.
I can't see how this can be made any clearer. Trump is taking action to defend our country from one of the greatest threats we face from abroad...the exploitation by foreign powers of a grave American weakness.
It is also way past time to deal with America's drug problem in an effective manner. Other countries have dealt with it, so must we.
My thoughts are, I like having a man in the White house who will act to protect America and take down evil. The Muslim War (or ongoing surrender to Islam) coming when he leaves office will make us all forget these minor actions.
Some of this is hard to follow. Am I right that you are saying that Ai called for Trump to be impeached? Which one?
Missing context = this was not an act of war. There were diversionary explosions and special forces snatched a man with a bounty on his head. It was a police action.
I think we are agreeing overall, I’m just not real sharp and am looking for clarity.
Just enough time for an honest election to take place.
From what I understand, this was legal. There was a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head. He was an illegal dictator. Explosions occurred to distract while a suspected criminal was arrested. There was no attack. No war. It was a police action.
I don’t have to be a cult of anything to support a legit action.
Nice summary, BTW.
Not just Dems...
While I wouldn't have recommended it, now that it is done & successful, bravo.
Trust me, the world took notice, and what they noticed is that Trump will indeed do what needs to be done, and furthermore, the U.S. military is not a paper tiger as they believe it to be from the actions of past leaders. China, and especially Iran, are rethinking their next moves. It may even move Russia & Ukraine into a peace deal.
Congress has been AWOL for dsecades now. but they still get paid handsomely. Nice grift if you can secure a spot in it. it.
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