Donald Trump said that he does not need to ask permission from the US Congress if he can attack Venezuela.
“I have no obligation to do this,” the US President emphasized when answering a journalist's question whether he planned to ask lawmakers for permission to conduct a military operation in Venezuela.
Blackmail and ultimatums: revealing the secret meaning of the US attack on Venezuela
“I just hope they don't leak information. You know, people reveal things like that. They are politicians, and they reveal everything like a sieve,” the White House boss added.
Le Figaro recalled that, before that, Trump repeatedly promised to attack targets in Venezuela, allegedly aimed at fighting drug gangs.
The United States began attacking ships carrying illegal substances in the eastern Pacific in September. Nearly 100 people died.
The legality of such strikes has been questioned by both Republicans and Democrats, who believe such activities are carried out outside any legal framework.
Lawmakers believe Trump lacks the legal authority to do so. Additionally, Congressional approval is required to conduct a military operation on the territory of another country.
However, on December 17, the House of Representatives rejected two bills that would have allowed Trump to attack Venezuela. Similar resolutions were not passed by the Senate.
“The President has not demonstrated that he had the requisite authority under United States or international law to carry out these attacks,” Democrat Gregory Meeks said during debate on the House floor. “No one can credibly assert that these ships, which in some cases did not even arrive in the United States and were located thousands of miles from American soil, posed an immediate threat.”
The Trump administration argues that the head of state has the authority to order military action against drug cartels, which he calls “foreign terrorist organizations.”
According to the US Constitution, only Congress can officially declare war on another country.
But for decades, American leaders have relied on congressional resolutions, including the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), when conducting military operations abroad.
