Friends – Yesterday we learned of extraordinary events that took place in Venezuela. I want to set the record straight here.

Donald Trump’s strikes on Venezuela and capture of President Maduro are unconstitutional, illegal, reckless, and dangerous for the entire world.

For months now, the Trump administration has been lying to Congress and the American people while carrying out illegal attacks on dozens of Venezuelan boats and seizing oil tankers. Now they have conducted a large-scale attack in an attempt at regime change.

Look, there's no doubt that Maduro was a corrupt, autocratic ruler who was stymying the economy and the future of Venezuela. But we need to be clear: The United States President is required by the Constitution to come to Congress before conducting acts of war.

The administration is trying to wriggle out of that responsibility by calling this a “law enforcement” operation. Give me a break. Bombing a foreign capital, killing members of their military, capturing their leader, and announcing that you will now control the country is not “law enforcement.” It is war plain and simple — war that flies in the face of both US and international law.

And this goes beyond just the legality. Trump is currently mismanaging every aspect of his presidency. The cost of living hasn’t come under control. Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing. Billionaires’ fortunes are ballooning while working class families wait in line at food pantries. Our democracy is eroding day by day. He is deeply unpopular with most Americans.

Why, now, would anyone trust Trump to take over Venezuela and call the shots on its future? Why not focus on the issues we must tackle here at home? This is not America First, this is Authoritarianism First.

But maybe this is the most telling part of Trump’s actions in Venezuela:

Trump promised American oil executives “a great deal” during the 2024 presidential election, and they followed suit by donating millions and millions to his campaign. Now we are seeing the fruits of that investment by Big Oil.

We know from recent history exactly what happens when we destabilize countries on behalf of American fossil fuel CEOs: they profit, our servicemembers get hurt or die, and regions collapse.

We are falling into the patterns of the past that put lives and economies in danger. How will Trump prevent a civil war from erupting like it did in Iraq?

The administration may have just started another needless, endless war, and we cannot stand idly by. Republicans in Congress should join Americans in standing up and denouncing his illegal, reckless, and dangerous acts — but I’m not holding my breath.

That’s why it’s all-important that we defeat the GOP in this year’s midterms so we can put Congress back in its rightful role as a check on this out-of-control President.

The stakes are too high for our nation and the entire world to let this runaway authoritarian continue to grow his power. We must fight back.

In solidarity,

Ed Markey

One last thing:

If you want to be part of the progressive movement that is taking on Trump and working to defeat the far-right in the midterms, chip in to Ed Markey’s campaign today. Ed has never backed down from a fight with Trump, and he is committed to using every tool that we have to undo the damage Trump is creating and unrig the system for working Americans. Please, chip in today:

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