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 ...
Venezuela has been a bad actor aggressive towards the US.
Maduro refused to knock it off
The Venezuela cartel found out
No more oil to Cuba and China
Cuba is diminished
A conveyor belt of Venezuela oil to US refineries, sorry Canada oil sands
Venezuela is no longer a criminal transit hub
The boom booms in Caracas were akin to a shock bang diversion to allow for the arrest of a murderous drug lord.. beautifully done
He asked Rand Paul for permission and when Rand said no, Pres. Trump said “suck it Rand. Go wash your hair loser.”
Maduro will be tried in a Federal court in Miami, as was Manuel Noriega. It won’t be difficult to find a Trump friendly court in Florida.
I expect Maduro will experience a similar destiny to Manuel Noriega.
Noriega got 40 years in the US for drug trafficking, later reduced to 30 years.
In 2007, he was extradited to France and sentenced to 7 years for money laundering.
Meanwhile, he had been tried and convicted in absentia in a Panama court for murder (Hugo Spadafora), embezzlement, and human rights abuses.
France released him to Panama in 2011, where he began serving his 60 year sentence at El Renacer prison.
In his final years, he was granted house arrest for medical reasons.
He died in 2017 following complications from surgery.
“AS?” What is the source?
A message to CivNats:
Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.
The LIVID ones are the CORRUPT CRIMINALS....or just STUPID!
I hear some senators are livid but we’ll see how it plays out...
omg...get real.
“Did President Trump seek authority from Congress to attack Venezuela?”
Let’s look at history. Operation Just Cause snatched up Manuel Noriega in 1989 without President Bush I getting congressional approval.
Operation Urgent Fury ousting commies from Greneda, launched on October 25, 1983 by President Reagan never had approval.
“Did Trump get authority from Congress to attack Venezuela?”
The U.S. Congress itself is the gravest threat facing the American people.
Thanks for that info.
I presume you’re aware of the potential damage to Congressional stock portfolios if DJT continues to act without informing them in advance. You expect them to just guess whether defense contractor stocks will rise or fall?
I support President Trump’s decision.
“congress has long been derelict on its duties—balanced budget, oversight, war powers.”
Sadly, this is so true. If America really needs timely action on anything Congress is the ultimate roadblock. Their sole focus is evidently spending money we don’t have on things we don’t need.
@HouseDemocrats @HouseRepubs @SpeakerJohnson
Waiting on Congress to take proper action is like expecting a restraining order to protect someone from someone else...the President acted within his legal guidelines and those on the Congress who are pi$$ed off, can eat 💩 and “go away”
FINALLY there IS a President Trump !!!! YAY !!!!!
RandFan wrote: “I hear some senators are livid but we’ll see how it plays out...”
Who besides Rand Paul is livid?
Will The President call the leaders to The White House on Sunday evening?
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