Top Democratic leaders in the United States Congress have vowed to move against President Donald Trump over his administration’s military action in Venezuela, insisting that Congress must reassert its constitutional authority by invoking the War Powers Act.
Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, made the declaration on Tuesday, describing President Trump’s actions as reckless and unconstitutional.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Jeffries faulted the Trump administration for failing to notify Congress ahead of the military operation in Venezuela, dismissing the White House’s claim that secrecy was necessary to prevent media leaks.
Jeffries described the justification as “outrageous,” stressing that the executive arm of government has a clear obligation to brief Congress on any military engagement.
“The administration had a responsibility to notify Congress,” he said.
According to Jeffries, the United States Constitution vests the sole power to declare war in Congress, not the president.
“The Constitution is not a matter of convenience; it is a requirement,” the New York lawmaker stated.
“There is no Trump exception to the United States Constitution.”
Jeffries, who is seeking to become Speaker of the House after the November elections, also dismissed claims that classified briefings to congressional leaders often lead to harmful leaks.
“There is no evidence that congressional leaders were ever properly briefed in a classified setting and then leaked information that undermined America’s national security,” he added.
Also condemning Trump’s action, Senator Chuck Schumer warned that the crisis in Venezuela could rapidly spiral out of control.
According to him, President Trump has “opened a Pandora’s box” that could trigger far-reaching and unpredictable consequences.
“The danger is only beginning,” Schumer warned.
“Things could get out of hand very quickly.”
He further cautioned that similar actions against other countries could worsen global instability.
“If Donald Trump attempts to do to Colombia or Greenland what he did in Venezuela, the disasters and consequences could compound exponentially,” Schumer said.
While reading from prepared remarks, Schumer reportedly stumbled briefly, at one point referring to “the war in Viet—” before correcting himself to say “the war in Venezuela,” according to The Guardian.
Schumer concluded by announcing concrete legislative steps against the president.
“The next step for Congress is clear: we must stop Trump’s folly by invoking the War Powers Act,” he said, adding that he would support a war powers resolution later this week aimed at limiting the president’s authority.
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