Schumer Warns Trump’s Venezuela Plan “An Act of War” — Thune Says It’s Fine
Senate leaders delivered sharply different messages Tuesday after Donald Trump suggested he may authorize ground strikes inside Venezuela, raising urgent questions about presidential war powers and whether the U.S. is inching toward another unauthorized conflict.
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Speaking to reporters, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a blunt warning: any Trump-ordered attack on Venezuelan soil would be considered “an act of war” and would immediately trigger Congressional authority under the War Powers Act.
“It’s Congress’ prerogative to go to war,” Schumer said, emphasizing that Trump cannot unilaterally launch ground operations without an authorization vote.
Minutes later, Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered the opposite assessment. Asked whether the U.S. is effectively at war in the Caribbean — and whether Trump needs Congressional approval — Thune argued the president is acting within his existing Article II powers.
“I think the president is acting under his authority as Commander-in-Chief in a way that’s consistent with what past administrations have done,” Thune said.
The split highlights escalating concern on Capitol Hill after Trump hinted he may expand operations against cartel-aligned groups operating in and around Venezuela. While the White House has not formally confirmed plans for ground strikes, Trump’s public comments have pushed the issue into the spotlight.
The dispute now turns on a central question:
At what point do Trump’s actions constitute a new war — and who gets to decide?
With both parties bracing for the possibility of further escalation, Congress appears headed for a showdown over presidential military authority just days after the administration’s last controversial strike triggered bipartisan pushback.