Trump’s Venezuela Rhetoric Risks Foreign War, Schumer Warns

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a stern warning Saturday about President Donald Trump’s recent actions toward Venezuela, accusing the administration of pushing the United States dangerously close to armed conflict without proper congressional authorization.

“President Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war,” Schumer said in a sharply worded statement. “Under our Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war — not the President — and Congress has not authorized the use of military force against Venezuela.”

The New York Democrat emphasized growing concerns about potential military escalation in the region, particularly as the Trump administration has intensified its rhetoric and operations targeting alleged drug trafficking from the South American nation. Schumer urged bipartisan pushback, calling on colleagues across the political spectrum to “come together to return the power to declare war back to the people.”

Schumer’s comments follow a series of provocative statements by Trump, including a post on Truth Social declaring that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety.” This proclamation came shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines about a “worsening security situation” in the region.

The administration’s actions in the Caribbean have already drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. Recent reports from media outlets including The Washington Post and CNN claim that U.S. military forces conducted a second strike on a suspected drug vessel after an initial attack left survivors, raising questions about the scope and rules of engagement for these operations.

While speaking to U.S. service members during Thanksgiving, Trump hinted at expanding operations, saying the U.S. will “very soon” begin stopping Venezuelan drug traffickers “by land.” When asked directly whether he would rule out troop deployments to Venezuela, Trump responded, “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the administration’s aggressive stance, characterizing the Caribbean operations as “highly effective strikes” that are “specifically intended to be lethal, kinetic strikes.” In a statement posted to social media, Hegseth said, “The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people.”

The escalating situation has prompted House Armed Services Committee leadership to announce bipartisan oversight efforts. Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., issued a joint statement Saturday committing to “providing rigorous oversight of the Department of Defense’s military operations in the Caribbean” and promising to “gather a full accounting” of recent operations.

The dispute highlights the constitutional tension between presidential war powers and Congress’s authority to declare war—a recurring issue in U.S. foreign policy debates. Schumer framed the administration’s actions as not only constitutionally problematic but contrary to Trump’s own stated priorities.

“Americans are tired of endless foreign wars that cost the lives of countless American service members and drain precious resources,” Schumer noted, adding pointedly: “This is not an America First policy.”

The growing tension between Venezuela and the United States comes amid broader concerns about drug trafficking and regional stability in Latin America. Venezuela, which has experienced severe political and economic turmoil in recent years under President Nicolás Maduro’s leadership, has been accused by U.S. officials of facilitating narcotics shipments to the United States.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on Schumer’s criticisms or provided further details about potential escalation of military operations in or around Venezuela.