1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I urge you to refuse funding for military operations in Venezuela and to immediately launch congressional oversight hearings into this unconstitutional invasion. President Trump ordered military strikes against a sovereign nation, captured its president, and deployed CIA drone strikes without seeking congressional approval, violating both the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Trump's own chief of staff Susie Wiles stated in November that authorizing activity on land constitutes war and requires congressional approval. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made similar statements during a congressional briefing. Yet Trump proceeded anyway, with Wiles later revealing in a Vanity Fair interview that Trump believes "there's nothing he can't do, nothing, zero." This invasion violates the United Nations Charter, which the United States signed in 1945, prohibiting countries from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any nation. By breaking international law, we have undermined our ability to condemn aggression by Russia or China. Our alliances are weakened when we disregard the very legal frameworks we helped establish. Trump's stated rationale of combating narco-terrorists lacks credibility. Venezuela is a minor producer of fentanyl and other drugs entering the United States. Trump himself recently pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who ran a major drug operation and was convicted in federal court. Trump has also suggested this action may be about gaining control of Venezuela's vast oil fields, benefiting corporations rather than protecting American security. Congress holds the constitutional power to declare war and control federal spending. The Constitution created this structure specifically to prevent unchecked executive power. I urge you to exercise your constitutional duty by refusing to fund any military activity in Venezuela or any other country without proper congressional authorization. Hold oversight hearings to determine the objectives of this military action and assert your role in deciding what comes next. The consequences of allowing this precedent are enormous and strike at the core of our constitutional system of government.