U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) called for immediate congressional action on Friday to prevent what he described as “another endless, regime-change war” in the context of reports that President Donald Trump is considering military strikes inside Venezuela.
Khanna emphasized that such actions would be “blatantly unconstitutional,” asserting that no president has the authority to launch attacks on foreign nations without Congressional approval. He stated, “The United States Congress must speak up and stop this. No president, according to the Constitution, has the authority to strike another country without Congress’ approval. And the American people have voted against regime change and endless wars.”
His comments followed reports from the Miami Herald and the Wall Street Journal about internal discussions within the Trump administration regarding potential airstrikes in Venezuela. The Herald reported that the administration had decided to target military installations and that strikes could occur at any time. In contrast, the Journal noted that while the administration had identified targets—including facilities used for drug smuggling—it had not yet made a final decision on land-based strikes.
According to the Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, the targeted actions were intended to send a message to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, urging him to step down. However, the White House denied that a final decision had been made, with President Trump stating during a flight aboard Air Force One that he had not yet finalized plans for an attack.
Trump has previously indicated that land strikes against Venezuela are “going to be next,” following his earlier unauthorized strikes on boats in waters off Central and South America. He has also stated that he does not intend to seek Congressional approval before launching direct attacks on Venezuela.
Khanna and other lawmakers have expressed concern over the potential for an unauthorized U.S. military action against Venezuela. They argue that the American public opposes being drawn into another prolonged conflict, and that the Constitution requires Congressional deliberation before any such action is taken.
Despite these concerns, opposition to the administration’s potential military actions remains limited among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, which is currently focused on addressing a government shutdown. Only three senators—Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)—are officially supporting a resolution aimed at preventing the president from attacking Venezuela without Congressional authorization. Other senators, including Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), have publicly criticized the administration’s approach.
Sanders wrote on social media that “Trump is illegally threatening war with Venezuela—after killing more than 50 people in unauthorized strikes at sea.” He urged Congress to act, stating, “Only Congress can declare war. Congress must defend the law and end Trump’s militarism.”
Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs at the Center for International Policy, noted that “most Americans oppose overthrowing Venezuela’s leaders by force—and an even larger majority oppose invading.” He encouraged citizens to contact their senators to support S.J.Res.90, a measure designed to block the president’s unauthorized use of military force.
A similar resolution led by Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) in the House of Representatives has received just over 30 cosponsors. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) recently announced his support for the measure, stating that “Trump does not have the legal authority to launch military strikes inside Venezuela without a specific authorization by Congress.”
Neguse added, “Any unilateral directive to send Americans into war is not only reckless, but illegal and an affront to the House of Representatives’ powers under Article I of our Constitution.” He reiterated that “the American people oppose being dragged into yet another endless war, this time in Venezuela, and our constitutional order demands deliberation by the U.S. Congress—period.”
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