Trump rages at 5 GOP senators who backed Democrats on 'War Powers Act' vote

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, January 8, erupted at five Republican senators who broke ranks to support a Democratic-led effort to limit his authority to use military force, calling their votes an act of “stupidity” and urging voters to defeat them at the ballot box.

“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” he said. 

Trump targets GOP dissenters and calls War Powers Act unconstitutional

Trump argued that the vote undermined national security and weakened his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief.

“This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the president’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” he wrote, adding that the 'War Powers Act' itself is unconstitutional.

“In any event, and despite their 'stupidity', the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject,” the president stated.

Senate advances bipartisan resolution limiting war powers

Trump’s outburst followed a 52–47 Senate vote to advance a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at blocking the president from conducting further military operations “within or against Venezuela” without explicit congressional authorization.

The vote came despite a last-minute push by Republican leadership to defeat the measure and preserve Trump’s latitude as he threatens a “second wave” of US action in Venezuela.

Last week, Trump ordered a US military operation that resulted in the capture and extradition of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, an operation the administration has insisted was a law enforcement action rather than an act of war.

All 47 Senate Democrats voted in favor of advancing the resolution, joined by five Republicans: Sens Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Todd Young of Indiana.

The legislation is led by Sen Tim Kaine (D-Va) and co-sponsored by Rand Paul, Sen Adam Schiff (D-Calif), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Lawmakers cite Constitution and warn against unchecked military action

Supporters of the resolution framed the vote as a constitutional check on presidential power rather than a judgment on Venezuela or Maduro himself.

“The debate really isn’t about good or evil,” Paul told reporters earlier this week. “There’s a lot of evil in the world. The question is about who has the power to take the country to war.”

Paul said the Constitution clearly divides war powers, giving Congress the authority to declare or initiate war while leaving the execution of military operations to the president.

Kaine echoed that argument after the vote, sharply criticizing Trump’s actions in Venezuela.

“Instead of responding to Americans’ concerns about the affordability crisis, President Trump started a war with Venezuela that is profoundly disrespectful to US troops, deeply unpopular, suspiciously secretive and likely corrupt,” Kaine said.

“Trump’s war is also clearly illegal because this military action was ordered without the congressional authorization the Constitution requires,” he added.