1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The Trump administration completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at $500 million on Friday, establishing a precedent that directly violates constitutional separation of powers. The president signed an executive order detailing how the US will block courts and creditors from accessing revenue while controlling up to 50 million barrels of oil. This arrangement bypasses Congress entirely, despite Article I explicitly granting Congress the power of the purse. Revenue from these sales is being held in bank accounts controlled by the executive branch, with the main account located in Qatar. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed his department will oversee accounts and control disbursement at the president's direction. There is no legal basis for a president to set up an offshore account he controls to sell assets seized by the American military. This is precisely the kind of thing a corrupt politician would pursue. Congress must immediately convene public hearings to investigate this arrangement. The administration has provided no answers about how it plans to distribute revenue or when elections might occur. Legal experts warn that parking proceeds offshore creates opportunities for corruption schemes that will be impossible to monitor without congressional oversight. I urge you to use your constitutional authority to halt these sales until Congress establishes proper legal framework, oversight mechanisms, and accountability measures or puts an end to the illegal seizure of Venezuelan oil or any other commodities for good. The precedent being set threatens the fundamental balance of powers that protects our democracy from executive overreach.