1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that you immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for their roles in the illegal military strikes on Venezuela. These officials must be impeached, convicted, and removed from office without delay. Additionally, every military member who participated in executing these strikes must face prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and applicable federal law. The unauthorized bombing of Caracas early Saturday morning, which Trump approved before Christmas, killed innocent Venezuelan civilians in attacks on Fort Tiuna, La Guaira port, and other installations beginning around 2 a.m. This was not a lawful military operation. This was an illegal war of aggression that violated the Constitution's war powers clause, which grants Congress alone the authority to declare war. Senator Mike Lee questioned what could constitutionally justify this action without congressional authorization. Senator Ruben Gallego correctly called it illegal and stated there was no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela. Secretary Rubio's claim that the strikes protected personnel executing an arrest warrant is a transparent lie that fails to justify bombing urban areas with civilian populations. Professor Marc Weller of Chatham House confirmed these strikes violate international law, which only permits force in response to armed attack or to rescue populations under imminent threat of extermination. Neither condition existed here. Trump's statement that the U.S. expects to get very strongly involved in Venezuela's oil industry, combined with Vice President Vance's declaration that stolen oil must be returned to the United States, exposes the true motive for this criminal operation. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. This administration ordered military personnel to kill civilians and overthrow a sovereign government to seize another nation's natural resources. The military members who carried out these orders are not absolved of responsibility. Following illegal orders is itself a crime. Every service member who participated in planning or executing these strikes must be court-martialed and prosecuted. Superior orders are not a defense to war crimes. Our constitutional system cannot survive if officials who wage illegal wars face no consequences. Impeach, convict, remove these officials, and prosecute every military member involved. Act now.