The Record  Trump’s second term, documented
Breaking the law, defying the courts

He ordered military strikes across Venezuela and seized its president, with no authorization from Congress.

January 3, 2026His own side confirms

On January 3, 2026, Trump ordered a large military operation across Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro and flew him to New York to face charges. Trump did not seek congressional authorization, and Congress did not grant it. Legal scholars said the operation exceeded the president’s constitutional war powers and violated international law, with no claim of self-defense. Republican Senator Mike Lee, a Trump ally, publicly noted there had been no congressional approval for the use of force. Trump then said the United States would “run” Venezuela until a transition and would take sanctioned Venezuelan oil, reportedly worth about $3 billion.

SourcesLegality of the strike (FactCheck.org) · Considerations for Congress (nonpartisan CRS) · Sen. Mike Lee (R) on the missing authorization (MSNBC)

Named hereMike Lee

He ordered military strikes across Venezuela and seized its president, with no authorization from Congress.
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