Rand Paul joins Dems on 'war powers resolution' claiming Trump admin could soon strike Venezuelan territory

President Donald Trump has indicated a potential escalation of U.S. military action in Venezuela, warning that violent retaliation against U.S. citizens is possible as tensions rise. This comes amid discussions of military strikes targeting drug cartels within Venezuelan borders, raising alarms among national security experts.

Congressional leaders, including Sen. Jack Reed, were briefed by Adm. Frank Bradley regarding a second military strike off the coast of Venezuela. This meeting follows rising tensions and concerns over U.S. military operations in the region, particularly regarding alleged drug trafficking.

A Navy admiral testified before Congress that there was no 'kill them all' order issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a military strike that resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an alleged drug boat attack near Venezuela. This clarification comes amidst scrutiny over the legality and conduct of military operations in international waters.

A recent U.S. military operation targeting a Venezuelan drug ferry resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an earlier strike, igniting widespread outrage and raising legal questions about the campaign's legitimacy. The Pentagon's Law of War manual explicitly prohibits attacks on survivors, complicating the justification for the ongoing military actions against alleged drug trafficking in the region.

Republican lawmakers are increasing scrutiny of the Trump administration following a controversial military strike on alleged drug-trafficking boats from Venezuela. The scrutiny intensified after a second strike in September reportedly targeted survivors of an initial attack, raising ethical concerns about the military's engagement rules. Lawmakers are set to meet with a top admiral to discuss these operations.

House Republicans are divided over President Trump's potential pursuit of regime change in Venezuela, with discussions highlighting national security concerns and fears of repeating past military intervention mistakes in the Middle East.

The Trump administration has announced a pause on immigration from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela, amid ongoing security concerns. This decision follows a shooting incident in Washington D.C. that critically injured two National Guard members, prompting immediate action to halt immigration applications and green card requests from these nations.

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are facing bipartisan scrutiny following a military strike in September that resulted in the deaths of survivors from an initial attack on a drug boat in Venezuela. Hegseth stated he was unaware of the second strike, which occurred after he left a meeting, leading to questions about the decision-making process within the administration.