In the middle of the night, President Trump made the decision to act with military aggression and without informing Congress, against the sovereign country of Venezuela. 

Via a Truth Social post made by Trump, America learned that U.S. military forces invaded Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores and are holding them in U.S. custody, in an undisclosed location. 

Following these events, Trump held a press conference today stating that the US will take full control of the country.

What we know:

• U.S. military forces conducted a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela leading to the capture and removal the president of a sovereign nation
• Maduro has been under a secret U.S. indictment since Trump’s first term
• The operation targeted both military and civilian sites
• All actions were taken without notice to and clearance by the US Congress. 
• Our Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the sole power to utilize such military force, especially without a clear and direct threat posed to the United States.

What we don’t know:

• Whether there’s any legal basis under international law for this action
• Who is now leading Venezuela. According to Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela will govern itself, but Trump says otherwise. This will surely lead to more conflict.
• How Venezuela’s military will respond
• How Russia, China, Iran and others will respond
• What ongoing military operations will be necessary to maintain stability. Trump stated that the US is poised and ready for “much larger attacks.”
• Trump expressly indicated that the US will also take control of all oil production in Venezuela, claiming that “our oil was stolen.”

Let me be clear: I support our brave service members who carried out this operation. They serve with courage and professionalism, often at great personal risk.

Additionally, Maduro is a violent dictator who’s been accused of being a narco-terrorist. He’s suppressed political dissent and brutalized the Venezuelan people for years.

But make no mistake — once again, our country is in military conflict over oil.
We’ve been here before, need I remind voters about the cost of the “WMD war.”

Not only was Congress not advised, they were misled. In November and December, officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, informed lawmakers repeatedly that there were no plans for a land invasion inside Venezuela and that the administration was not focused on regime change.

President Trump campaigned on reducing military action and avoiding “forever wars.” He’s broken those promises.

The numbers don’t lie. In his first year back in office, Trump has conducted over 620 airstrikes across at least seven countries—42% more strikes than Biden’s entire first year. He struck Iranian nuclear facilities in June. He launched over 1,000 strikes in Yemen. He conducted the first U.S. military action in Nigeria. And now, he’s invaded Venezuela and overthrown its government.

Trump promised “America First.” Instead, he’s delivered military escalation on multiple continents in situations that most certainly do not put America First. This isn’t what his supporters voted for.

I always want our country to succeed. But I’m deeply concerned by Trump’s unilateral decision-making. Many are asking legitimate questions: Is this a distraction from the Epstein files implicating Trump? From his record-low polling numbers? Is this about seizing Venezuela’s oil?

These are fair questions to ask when a president acts without Congressional authorization. These grave decisions must not be made by the executive branch alone. 

Yet Congressional oversight has been absent throughout this administration’s military escalations. Loyalists like Max Miller and others must stop providing a rubber stamp. We must reassert constitutional authority. We need real checks and balances—and guardrails for a president asserting authority like a king.

That’s what I’ll fight for in Congress. Real oversight. Real accountability. Adhering to our Constitution. 

I pledge to be A Voice for All—not the President’s inner circle.