US Democratic lawmakers have criticized President Donald Trump for allegedly bypassing Congress and providing misleading information regarding the use of military force to apprehend Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro without proper authorization. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, labeled the operation as an illegal act of war, emphasizing that such a significant military operation in a foreign nation requires congressional approval. Murphy accused the administration of initially misrepresenting the mission as a counter-narcotics effort to Congress, only to later reveal the involvement of US military assets.
House Intelligence Committee Democrat Jim Himes, also on CNN, expressed concerns about the lack of proper briefings to lawmakers and dismissed claims that Congress could not be informed due to potential leaks. Democrats raised questions about President Trump’s frequent mentions of Venezuela’s oil industry, with Murphy suggesting that the emphasis on oil resources hinted at ulterior motives behind the operation. Murphy cautioned that the administration’s unclear plan post-Maduro’s removal poses a significant risk, highlighting the necessity for Congress to assert its authority to prevent unaccountable escalation.
