Bay Area lawmakers question President Donald Trump’s authority in Venezuela

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Bay Area lawmakers are raising constitutional questions over the Trump administration’s surprise operation in Venezuela over the weekend.

Democrats are arguing the move might violate the War Powers Act by bypassing Congress, while Republicans are largely saying the president acted within his authority.

“This is an attack on another country. And that’s an act of war,” said John Garamendi, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Garamendi said the administration did not seek congressional authorization before moving forward, with his committee receiving “zero” indication of what was being planned.

“Congress is rolling over,” he said. “Congress has to, must assert its authority and put a stop to this.”

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He also questioned whether the White House has thought through the consequences beyond the initial operation.

“I’m not at all sure that they thought about step two,” Garamendi said, noting Venezuela was not among U.S. military priorities until recently.

Other Bay Area Democrats pressed similar concerns, calling for answers on duration, risk, and cost – core questions Congress is tasked with weighing under the Constitution.

“I want to know how quickly can we get Venezuela deciding the future of Venezuela,” said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, told CNN. “When will our troops be out…what is the cost of this operation?”

Republicans pushed back, arguing the president had sufficient authority to act without prior congressional approval.

Orange County Rep. Young Kim – a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee – said the administration had already built a case for the operation.

“Up to this point, they built a very, very strong case that didn’t need congressional approval,” Kim said. She added that having a U.S. presence is not the same as deploying troops, saying “there is no war.”

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Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that distinction does not erase Congress’ constitutional responsibilities.

“It’s such an insult to Congress and it’s an insult to the Constitution that they think they can do this,” Boxer said. “Congress needs to be informed. It’s the Constitution. It’s the War Powers Act. That’s very clear.”

Boxer said while it was positive that Nicolás Maduro is now being charged in the United States, the larger concern is the precedent being set.

“I think it’s great that he’s in custody. But the question is, what are they doing? What is their plan?” she said.

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Drawing on her experience opposing the Iraq War, Boxer warned that military actions often expand beyond their original scope – even when lawmakers are told they will be limited or short-lived.

“You don’t know what can happen,” she said. “These things are difficult. If Americans just can go in anywhere it wants to in South America, Central America, Latin America as a whole, what does that say to Putin? What does that say to Iran? What does that say to China?”

The debate is expected to continue as members of Congress receive classified briefings from the administration. Kim said both the House and Senate Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees will be briefed, where lawmakers are likely to press the White House on its legal authority.