1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to express deep concern regarding reports that the Trump Administration has authorized or conducted U.S. military operations—including the use of lethal force—off the coast of Venezuela without clear public legal justification, without due process, and without explicit congressional authorization. Regardless of one’s views on U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela, any use of military force by the Executive Branch must be grounded in transparent legal authority and subject to the constitutional system of checks and balances. Congress has the sole power to authorize war, and the American public has the right to understand the legal framework under which our military personnel are being directed to take potentially lethal action. I respectfully urge you to: 1. Demand that the Administration publicly disclose the legal justification—including any Office of Legal Counsel opinions or statutory interpretations—relating to these reported military operations. 2. Assert Congress’s constitutional role in authorizing the use of force and ensure that no administration, current or future, bypasses legislative oversight. 3. Support hearings or inquiries to determine whether the actions undertaken comply with U.S. and international law. Transparency and accountability in matters of war and peace are essential to the functioning of our democracy. I ask that you take immediate steps to ensure that the Executive Branch cannot employ lethal force beyond the boundaries of law and congressional oversight. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing you take action that upholds the Constitution and protects both our service members and our democratic institutions.