Democrats denounce Trump’s Venezuela strike as unconstitutional and unlawful
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized the Trump administration on Saturday, January 3, after President Donald Trump announced that US forces carried out a large-scale strike in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Trump said the pair were flown out of the country following the operation.
Several Democrats said that the action was unconstitutional and illegal without congressional authorization. The White House and Republican lawmakers defended the move, pointing to longstanding criminal charges against the Venezuelan leader.
Democrats raise constitutional and foreign policy concerns
Democrats across both chambers questioned the legality and rationale of the operation, arguing that Congress was sidelined in a decision that could draw the United States into another armed conflict.
Sen Andy Kim (D-NJ) directly criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, referencing briefings given to lawmakers late last year.
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress,” Kim wrote on X.
He stated that the administration bypassed the constitutionally required approval process because public support for another war is limited.
“This strike doesn’t represent strength. It’s not sound foreign policy,” Kim added, warning that it could endanger Americans in Venezuela and the broader region.
He also argued the move would further damage the United States’ global standing.
Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress. Trump rejected our Constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict… https://t.co/wdXm21gHnA
— Senator Andy Kim (@SenatorAndyKim) January 3, 2026
Sen Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz), a military veteran, described the operation as unlawful and unnecessary.
Calling it the “second unjustified war in my life time,” Gallego wrote, “This war is illegal, it’s embarrassing that we went from the world cop to the world bully in less than one year. There is no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela.”
In a follow-up post, he referenced his service in Iraq, saying, “No matter the outcome we are in the wrong for starting this war in Venezuela.”
There is no justification for the United States to be at war with Venezuela.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) January 3, 2026
I lived through the consequences of an illegal war sold to the American people with lies. We swore we would never repeat those mistakes. Yet here we are again.
The American people did not ask for this,…
House Democrats echoed similar concerns.
Rep Jim McGovern (D-Mass) criticized the administration for prioritizing military action while domestic issues remain unresolved.
“Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela,” McGovern wrote, also pointing to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies earlier this week.
Administration and Republicans defend the operation
The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers defended the strikes and the reported capture of Maduro, framing the action as law enforcement rather than an act of war.
Trump described the mission as “brilliant” in an interview with The New York Times, praising the planning and personnel involved.
Vice President JD Vance dismissed claims that the action was illegal, citing indictments against Maduro.
“PSA for everyone saying this was ‘illegal’: Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for n***ote****ism,” Vance wrote on X.
“You don’t get to avoid justice for d**g tra****king in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” he added.
