Congressman Danny K. Davis Raises Constitutional Concerns Over Executive Overreach in Foreign Military Action

President Trump’s actions with respect to Venezuela raise serious concerns, not only about his apparent tolerance for authoritarian behavior abroad, but about his willingness to disregard democratic norms at home.

I join with millions of people and elected officials who believe that the principles of democracy are relevant and essential for all people, not just the powerful, but also the most vulnerable.

I have no respect for President Nicolás Maduro. I agree that drug trafficking originating in Venezuela must be addressed, and that the Venezuelan people deserve competent leadership and a stable, functional system of government in which the people, not force rule.

However, for the President of the United States, acting as Commander in Chief, to invade another country, attempt to impose leadership, and unilaterally determine that nation’s future is wholly unacceptable and has no place in our constitutional system.

Congress, not the executive alone, holds the authority over acts of war. For that reason, I join my colleagues in calling for immediate briefings from the executive branch to fully inform Congress of the nature, scope, and objectives of this action.

At a minimum, these events raise profound constitutional concerns. At worst, they represent a direct violation of the separation of powers that underpins our democracy.