U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday stated that he does not require congressional approval to carry out land strikes in Venezuela, even as critics argue his ongoing attacks at sea may exceed his constitutional powers.
When asked if he would seek authorization from lawmakers to target drug cartels on Venezuelan soil, Trump said he could inform Congress but insisted it was not necessary. “I wouldn’t mind telling them, but you know, it’s not a big deal. I don’t have to tell them,” he said during an Oval Office briefing, citing concerns about leaks from politicians.
Since September, the United States has conducted multiple air strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in at least 99 deaths. The strikes have sparked debate over their legality, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accusing the U.S. of pursuing regime change rather than merely combating drug trafficking.
Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress can formally declare war, although the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks argued that Trump lacks the legal authority to conduct lethal military actions against vessels that pose no imminent threat to the U.S., noting that some targeted boats were thousands of miles away and not en route to American territory.
Experts suggest that while Trump could order limited strikes inside Venezuela without congressional approval, such actions must be temporary and framed defensively. Past authorizations for military action, such as after the 9/11 attacks, have been used to justify U.S. operations abroad, including counterterrorism efforts.
