Rep. Thompson Releases Statement on Trump's Actions in Venezuela

January 5, 2026 Press Release President Trump has launched what legal experts say is an illegal military action against Venezuela. Decisions regarding military force when there is no immediate danger to the United States must involve Congress. That’s why I voted in support of the NDAA, which reins in the president’s ability to make unilateral military decisions. Congress must be convened immediately to hear the legal justification for this attack, its objectives, a detailed timeline for military action, the costs to U.S. taxpayers, and a plan to prevent further chaos in the region. Second Statement: House Democrats met today to address the situation in Venezuela. There is no question that Maduro is a terrible person. There is also no question that Congress must be involved in any military operations. I, along with most Democrats, have already called on the Speaker to convene the House immediately, and our position is unanimous: We stand with the American people in opposing boots on the ground for oil and rejecting any military occupation, whether in Venezuela, Greenland, Canada, Cuba, or anywhere else. Speaker Johnson, convene the House now! Issues : Defense