War Powers Dispute: The Venezuela Military Buildup

President Trump’s military actions in Venezuela are marking a significant shift from maritime drug interdiction to a strategy that signals potential regime change. This escalation, highlighted by the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group and the closing of Venezuelan airspace, has received public political cover from key Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham. However, the expanding military operations are simultaneously reigniting a constitutional debate, with critics in Congress demanding oversight and formal authorization for what they argue is an unauthorized executive overreach into war-making authority.

Quick Take

Senator Lindsey Graham publicly endorsed the Trump administration’s expanding military operations against Venezuela, characterizing them as necessary to combat narcoterrorism and drug trafficking
The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier battle group has been deployed to the Caribbean as operations escalate from maritime strikes to potential land-based military action
Trump declared Venezuelan airspace closed and reportedly told Maduro his reign is over, signaling serious military intent beyond drug interdiction
Congressional critics demand authorization and oversight, raising constitutional questions about executive war-making authority without formal congressional approval

Graham’s Endorsement Reflects Administration’s Broader Strategy

Senator Graham’s November 29 statement celebrating Trump’s Venezuela moves represents significant political cover for military operations that bypass traditional congressional authorization processes. Graham characterized Maduro as controlling “a narcoterrorist state that is poisoning America” and praised Trump’s “determination to deal with the drug caliphate countries.” This endorsement from a prominent Republican signals party support for the administration’s expanding military footprint in the region, framing operations as national security imperatives rather than potential foreign interventions requiring legislative approval.

I very much appreciate and respect the determination by President Trump to deal with the drug caliphate countries that inhabit our backyard — chief among them Venezuela.

For over a decade, Maduro has controlled a narcoterrorist state that is poisoning America and he has created…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 29, 2025

Military Escalation Signals Shift Beyond Drug Interdiction

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, represents a dramatic escalation from initial maritime drug-interdiction operations. At least ten strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean have resulted in at least 43 deaths. Trump’s declaration that Venezuelan airspace is “closed in its entirety” combined with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that “we have only just begun to kill narco-terrorists,” suggests operations may expand significantly beyond targeting drug trafficking vessels to broader military action.

Constitutional Authority Remains Disputed

Congressional critics argue the Trump administration lacks legal authority to conduct military operations without formal congressional authorization. Representative Adam Schiff stated that “Congress has not authorized military force against Venezuela” and called for asserting congressional authority to prevent the nation from being “dragged into full-fledged war in South America.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s reluctance to characterize the situation as war suggests ambiguity within the administration itself about the legal foundation for ongoing operations, raising questions about whether military action represents authorized national defense or unauthorized executive overreach.

Maduro’s Alleged Amnesty Request Underscores Regime Pressure

Reports indicate Maduro requested amnesty during a phone call with Trump, who allegedly responded that Maduro’s reign was over and he should leave Venezuela with his top aides. This diplomatic pressure, combined with the $50 million bounty placed on Maduro in August 2025, suggests the administration’s objectives extend beyond drug interdiction toward potential regime change. Such actions raise concerns about whether military operations ostensibly targeting narcoterrorism actually pursue broader geopolitical objectives requiring explicit congressional approval under constitutional war powers provisions.

Republican Divisions Emerge Over Military Expansion

While Graham strongly supports the operations, Republican senators remain divided on whether a land-based military force against Venezuela is appropriate. This internal party disagreement suggests Graham’s endorsement, though significant, does not represent unanimous Republican backing for expanded military action. The coming congressional briefing that Trump promised upon returning from Asia will test whether Congress ultimately asserts its constitutional authority over military operations or acquiesces to executive military action in the region.