Trump strongly criticized five Republican senators who "defected" on the Venezuela issue. These senators joined Democrats in voting 52 to 47 to advance a procedural motion based on the War Powers Resolution, aiming to limit Trump's military actions without explicit congressional authorization. The vote took place less than a week after the U.S. raid and arrest of the Maduro couple. Trump criticized the involved senators on social media, calling the motion "seriously weaken" America's self-defense capabilities and questioning its constitutionality. Among Republicans, Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Todd Young, and Josh Hawley supported the motion, emphasizing the need to restore Congress's checks on war powers; Democrats warned that the U.S. could be dragged into a costly new war. Republican leaders downplayed the division, stating the president still had full authority, and that even if the resolution moved forward, it would almost certainly not become law, as it would still require passage by both chambers and face presidential veto. The White House and several Republican lawmakers insisted that the operation was classified as a "law enforcement action" rather than a war, requiring no congressional approval; however, Collins and others pointed out that Trump's statements about possible "long-term involvement" and "stationing troops on the ground" raised concerns, prompting them to support initiating the war power procedure. Overall, despite a few Republicans drawing a "no ground forces deployment" red line, Congress generally remained restrained in Trump's foreign and military actions during his second term.
Image source: Internet
U.S. forces capture Venezuelan president
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853811931277321/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.