Congress Must Prohibit Presidential Control over Foreign-derived Revenue

I am writing to demand immediate congressional action regarding President Trump’s stated plan to seize Venezuelan oil, sell it, and place control of the proceeds under his direction.   The administration has confirmed that the United States will sell Venezuelan oil and that the resulting funds will be placed in accounts controlled by the United States. President Trump has publicly indicated that he intends to direct and control the disposition of Venezuelan oil revenues, including where the proceeds are held and how they are used. Congress has not been shown any legal structure that allows those funds to fall under the president’s personal discretion.   This is not a policy dispute. It is an allegation of personal control over sovereign resources obtained through U.S. power.   No president has the authority to personally control billions of dollars derived from the sale of foreign sovereign oil. No statute authorizes a president to place such funds into accounts he personally controls. And Congress has not approved any framework allowing the executive—much less the president personally—to direct or dispose of these revenues.   Given President Trump’s well-documented pattern of pursuing personal financial gain while in office, including ongoing crypto and real-estate ventures, this arrangement presents an obvious and intolerable conflict of interest. If allowed to stand, it would establish a precedent that a president may convert foreign national resources into funds under his personal control.   Congress must act now. At a minimum, you must:   • Demand immediate disclosure of where oil-sale proceeds are held and who has legal control over them  • Prohibit any personal presidential control over foreign-derived revenues  • Assert Congress’s exclusive authority over foreign assets, revenues, and appropriations    Failure to intervene would amount to acquiescence in conduct that is blatantly unconstitutional, corrupt, and dangerous.   I expect a clear response stating what actions you will take.