Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Condemns Trump’s Reckless and Unauthorized Military Actions in South American Waters

“The Trump administration’s ongoing military actions off the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela risk dragging the United States into yet another conflict without congressional approval or public debate.

Ordering the United States military to conduct unprovoked, unilateral strikes on alleged ‘drug boats’ off the coast of South America against vessels and individuals without any evidence or due process or any legal basis is horrific. Again, this Administration has provided no evidence that they posed any imminent threat to our national security or military.

Even more troubling, it appears the Administration plans to continue or to escalate these strikes while refusing to provide the public with any information regarding basic questions about them.

Let’s be clear: Congress alone holds the power to declare war. No president has the right to circumvent that constitutional authority using semantic arguments about military aggression versus drug smuggling interdiction. If the Trump administration is pursuing unauthorized war, Congress must act to reclaim its powers. I am disappointed that a few weeks ago, Senate Republicans largely blocked a war powers resolution that would have reasserted Congress’s authority regarding these unlawful strikes. And the Speaker of the House won’t even convene this chamber to address this, or any of the other important issues facing our country. 

We cannot allow another war to begin in secret, without accountability, and without the consent of the America’s elected officials, as required by the Constitution.”