Houston, TX—Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released the following statement after the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife First Lady Cilia Flores de Maduro, and President Trump announced that the United States will now “run the country.”

“President Trump’s military action in Venezuela violates the United States Constitution and sets a dangerous precedent for national sovereignty. President Maduro’s authoritarian government was illegitimate and oppressive.  But President Trump’s statements today made clear that he believes he has the unilateral authority to depose foreign leaders and take over foreign countries.  He does not.

“The Constitution gives the Congress—the representatives of the American people—the sole authority and the solemn responsibility to declare war.  The Trump administration did not seek Congress’ authority to launch the strikes on Venezuela and Congress did not authorize it.  The multiple rationales the administration put forward to justify its actions raised more questions than they answered.

“The Trump administration must immediately and fully brief Congress and answer questions from the representatives of the American people.  Americans deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that honors and protects our democratic system of government, our Constitution, our fellow citizens, and our national security.”