Highlights:
- Lawmakers say Trump’s strike in Venezuela bypassed Congress and violated constitutional limits.
- Raja Krishnamoorthi called the move an abuse of presidential power.
- Ro Khanna framed it as a warning for global norms and regime-change interventions.
- Suhas Subramanyam and Pramila Jayapal warned of increased instability and “forever wars.”
- Bipartisan concern grows over US engagement without a clear strategy for governance.
Six Indian American lawmakers in the United States have strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s recent military action in Venezuela, arguing that it bypassed Congress and risked long-term instability in the region. All six lawmakers, members of the Democratic Party, described the strike as unconstitutional and warned that it could undermine both U.S. credibility and global norms.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said that while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is an 'illegitimate dictator' who has caused immense suffering, that does not grant any U.S. president the authority to use military force without congressional approval.
He argued that Trump’s statement suggesting the United States would 'run' Venezuela committed the nation to an open-ended responsibility and eroded the rule of law. Krishnamoorthi urged the administration to brief Congress immediately on the safety of US personnel and any casualties resulting from the operation.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, ranking member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, called the strike contradictory to Trump’s promise to avoid new wars. Subramanyam warned that capturing Maduro in this manner would not curb drug trafficking or stabilize the country but could instead create “another forever war.”
Progressive Indian American lawmakers, including Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal, framed the intervention as a dangerous signal to the world. Khanna said the operation betrayed Trump’s MAGA base, raising questions about U.S. credibility if other world leaders, such as Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin, engage in regime-change actions. Jayapal condemned the move as motivated by “oil, greed, and power,” highlighting that the Venezuelan people, not the U.S., should determine their leadership.
Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American Congressman, acknowledged Maduro’s illegitimacy but criticized the strike for lacking congressional input and a clear plan for democratic transition. Shri Thanedar emphasized that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war, calling Trump’s action “totally unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
The backlash from Indian American lawmakers underscores a broader concern in Congress about executive overreach and the potential for prolonged US involvement in Venezuela. They warned that bypassing legislative approval not only weakens domestic checks and balances but also risks dragging the country into another open-ended conflict without a defined exit strategy.
As debates continue on Capitol Hill, the actions in Venezuela have intensified scrutiny of presidential power and its implications for global stability, highlighting the urgent need for accountability, legislative oversight, and adherence to international norms.
