Statement on U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela
January 3, 2026
"Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator who stole an election, but our Constitution does not give the President the authority to conduct a premeditated act of war and pursue regime change without Congressional authorization.
"It is hypocritical for Trump to claim this operation is about stopping the drug trade after Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández who was convicted of serious drug trafficking charges.
"Trump's incoherent ramblings at today's news conference will only fuel suspicion around the world that this was all about seizing Venezuela's oil, and nothing about supporting freedom and democracy."