Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) on Saturday, January 3, 2025, condemned President Donald Trump’s unilateral military action against Venezuela as illegal and unconstitutional, warning that it violates international law, endangers global security and usurps Congress’ exclusive authority to declare war. Sanders called on Congress to immediately pass a War Powers resolution to end the operation.
Statement of Senator Sanders Statement
Donald Trump has, once again, shown his contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law. The President of the United States does NOT have the right to unilaterally take this country to war, even against a corrupt and brutal dictator like Maduro. The United States does NOT have the right, as Trump stated this morning, to “run” Venezuela. Congress must immediately pass a War Powers resolution to end this illegal military operation and reassert its constitutional responsibilities.
Trump’s attack on Venezuela will make the United States and the world less safe. This brazen violation of international law gives a green light to any nation on earth that may wish to attack another country to seize their resources or change their governments. This is the horrific logic of force that Putin used to justify his brutal attack on Ukraine.
Trump and his administration have often said they want to revive the Monroe Doctrine, claiming the United States has the right to dominate the affairs of the hemisphere. They have spoken openly about controlling Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world. This is rank imperialism. It recalls the darkest chapters of U.S. interventions in Latin America, which have left a terrible legacy. It will and should be condemned by the democratic world.
Trump campaigned for president on an “America First” platform. He claimed to be the “peace candidate.” At a time when 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, when our healthcare system is collapsing, when people cannot afford housing and when AI threatens millions of jobs, it is time for the president to focus on the crises facing this country and end this military adventurism abroad. Trump is failing in his job to “run” the United States. He should not be trying to “run” Venezuela.
Senator Welch Statement
U.S. Senator Peter Welch released the following statement on President Trump’s use of military force to remove Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela:
“Today, my thoughts are first and foremost on the safety and wellbeing of America’s armed forces, especially the brave Vermonters serving in the Vermont Air National Guard deployed as part of Operation Southern Spear.
“This attack on Venezuela was illegal, unconstitutional, and reckless. President Trump’s hunger for a regime change war makes it clear he doesn’t care about how this unauthorized and illegal action could cause further chaos and suffering in Venezuela. Has he learned nothing from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya? This could lead us into another forever war, risking the lives of U.S. service members and hurting the economy. There is no question that Nicolás Maduro, whom we all despise, was a corrupt autocrat who caused immense suffering in his country and instability in the region—but today’s actions by the President were wrong and will ultimately weaken our national security.
“And then there is the Trumpian hypocrisy: President Trump claims justification to bring Maduro to federal court in New York City to face drug charges. It will be the same court where the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, was convicted last year of trafficking more than 400 tons of cocaine to the United States and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison — only to be pardoned and freed by President Trump.
“Under our Constitution it is the exclusive responsibility of the United States Congress to authorize an act of war against a foreign country. Congress must immediately return to Washington to debate and vote. It is our obligation, and one of the most solemn, serious decisions we will make as representatives of the American people.”
Congresswoman Balint’s Statement
U.S. Representative Becca Balint on Saturday released the following statement following the news of President Trump’s overnight military action to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife:
“Nicolás Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator, and Venezuelans have suffered greatly under his regime. That does not diminish the fact that President Trump has zero authority to use military force to remove the leader of another sovereign country. This unilateral military action was reckless, illegal and taken without any congressional briefing, approval or oversight. It brings us further down the dangerous path of abandoning our democratic principles, consolidating power, and destroying our Constitution.
“Americans do not want another war, another regime change, or another occupation of a foreign nation. We have made these horrible mistakes before, and American soldiers and their families have paid the price. Democrats in Congress need Republicans to stand with us to protect and defend the Constitution and congressional power. We are the elected officials closest to the people. We have a sacred duty to represent our people, protect their rights, and to speak out and push back against any administration that violates the law.”
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