The Trump administration may have notified oil companies that it was preparing to nab Venezuela’s leader, at least according to statements made Sunday by President Donald Trump. There is precedent for keeping information about military action from lawmakers — such as when President Barack Obama ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed in response to the Vietnam War by a united Congress over Richard Nixon’s veto as a way to force presidents to consult lawmakers before and after military action. During the first Trump administration, the Utah Republican supported a bipartisan resolution to bar the president from offensive military action in Iran without congressional approval. A resolution under the War Powers Act to demand congressional approval for military action in Venezuela was filed by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican Sen. Rand Paul last month.

Source: CNN January 07, 2026 15:22 UTC