Washington, Jan 4 (NationPress) Indian American lawmakers have strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s choice to implement military action in Venezuela, as well as his assertion that the United States would effectively “control” the nation.

The six lawmakers, all affiliated with the opposition Democratic Party, cautioned that this action circumvents Congress, poses a threat to long-term stability, and erodes the constitutional limits on presidential authority.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a prominent member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, emphasized that Maduro’s history does not warrant unilateral military intervention. “While Nicolás Maduro is indeed an illegitimate dictator who has caused significant distress to the Venezuelan populace,” Krishnamoorthi stated, “this reality does not grant any president the unrestricted power to deploy military force without Congressional approval.”

He articulated that taking such actions without authorization and claiming control over another sovereign state constitutes an abuse of power. “By acting without congressional consent and openly claiming US control over a foreign nation, President Trump is misusing presidential authority and violating the Constitution’s principle of separation of powers,” he asserted.

Krishnamoorthi urged the administration to promptly inform lawmakers. “The Administration must ensure the safety of US personnel, reveal if there were any casualties, and provide a thorough briefing to Congress,” he added. He warned that Trump’s declaration about US control over Venezuela would impose “open-ended responsibilities” without legislative consent, potentially “undermining the rule of law, encouraging aggression from Moscow and Beijing, compromising America’s credibility, and ultimately endangering American citizens.”

Suhas Subramanyam, Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, remarked that the operation contradicts Trump’s professed opposition to initiating new conflicts. “President Trump claimed he would be the 'Peace President' and avoid starting new wars, yet he is now illegally invading another nation and attempting to apprehend its President,” Subramanyam stated.

Subramanyam characterized Maduro as “a violent ruler suppressing democracy in his nation,” but asserted that the method of his capture would not achieve US objectives. “Capturing him this way will not halt drug trafficking or lead to anything other than increased instability in Venezuela, potentially resulting in another prolonged conflict initiated under misleading pretenses,” he warned.

Progressive lawmakers have also depicted the operation as a troubling signal for global norms. Ro Khanna asserted that Trump had “betrayed his MAGA base today by instigating a war of choice aimed at regime change in Venezuela,” arguing that repeated US interventions have proven ineffective. “What will be our stance if Xi Jinping attempts to capture Lai of Taiwan or if Putin tries to seize Zelensky in Ukraine?” Khanna queried.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal accused Trump of violating a fundamental promise. “Trump vowed to withdraw the US from conflicts — he deceived us,” she stated, adding that the action was “motivated by oil, greed, and power.” In a separate comment, she challenged Washington’s authority to determine Venezuela’s leadership over its citizens.

Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American Congressman, acknowledged Maduro's illegitimacy but cautioned that the decision to act without Congressional input was “deeply alarming and unlawful,” referencing the lack of a “clear and credible strategy for governance or democratic transition.”

Congressman Shri Thanedar asserted, “Only Congress possesses the authority to declare war,” labeling Trump’s actions as “entirely unconstitutional and unacceptable.”

The backlash from Indian American lawmakers highlights growing apprehension on Capitol Hill that the Venezuela operation could lead the United States into yet another indefinite conflict without the consent of the legislature.