Democrats rip Trump administration for 'illegal' strikes on Venezuela

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

01/03/26 7:58 AM ET


Democratic lawmakers lambasted the administration early Saturday after President Trump announced U.S. personnel captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, flew them of the South American nation and carried out a “large scale” strike in the country. The move, many argued, was “illegal” without congressional approval.

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) specifically called out Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the operation — pointing to remarks the officials made during briefings 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 social platform X. “Trump rejected our Constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict because the Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war.

“This strike doesn’t represent strength. It’s not sound foreign policy,” he continued. “It puts Americans at risk in Venezuela and the region, and it sends a horrible and disturbing signal to other powerful leaders across the globe that targeting a head of state is an acceptable policy for the U.S. government.” The senator added, “This will further damage our reputation – already hurt by Trump’s policies around the world — and only isolate us in a time when we need our friends and allies more than ever.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5670752-trump-venezuela-strike-democrats/

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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.

— Senator Andy Kim (@kim.senate.gov) 2026-01-03T10:37:29.506Z

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Senator Andy Kim
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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 Show more
The New York Times
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Breaking News: President Trump said that the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, and that he is being flown out of the country. Follow live updates. https://nyti.ms/45AcbuS
5:33 AM · Jan 3, 2026

[Farmer-Rick]

1. Clearly an unlawful invasion

When did the US declare war on Venezuela? Oh that's right our dick tater for life pedo Trump doesn't need to follow our laws.

Here's a question for all you rabid anti-socialists who want Venezuela to turn back to US style corporate capitalism. Who do you think is a worst elected president? Pedo Trump or Maduro.....at least Maduro is not attacking foreign countries.

I suspect Nicolas Maduro is dead. Just like Salvador Allende.

[Munu]

2. The whole 'declaration of war' thing has been a dead letter since the 1950s.

Not to let Trump off the hook for specific war crimes, but there already was an underlying corruption in the system.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. "I suspect Nicolas Maduro is dead. Just like Salvador Allende."

Per AP, he is supposedly on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima head to NYC.

Maduro and his wife are on a US warship, Trump says

[70sEraVet]

4. On the bright side....

Maybe this 'abduction of a foreign leader' thing will give Canada's Prime Minister the message that HE can invade another country and remove a leader that HE doesn't like!!
Oh, Canada, strong and free!!

[Festivito]

5. It's only unconstitutional if republicans are willing to impeach.

Do you hear of republicans calling for impeachment. All I hear are crickets.