Democrats are expressing strong disapproval following President Donald Trump’s unexpected military action in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. This aggressive move has sparked a unified outcry among Democratic lawmakers who are accusing the President of circumventing congressional approval and lacking a post-conflict plan.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) criticized the operation on X, stating, “Congress did not authorize this war. Venezuela posed no imminent threat to the United States. This is reckless, elective regime change risking American lives (Iraq 2.0) with no plan for the day after. Wars cost more than trophies.”

The operation, announced by Trump on Truth Social, drew immediate praise from some Republicans, while Democrats voiced significant concerns. High-ranking Democrats were notably silent initially, leaving responses to be led by other Democratic members who were quick to condemn the administration’s unilateral decision.

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, a senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, demanded a briefing from the administration on its legal justification and its plans to stabilize the region after Maduro's capture. “Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but his presidency does not justify military action without Congressional authorization,” Himes stated.

In response to the criticism, Trump dismissed the complaints in a Fox News interview, suggesting that Democrats should commend the operation rather than question its constitutionality.

The legal foundation for the strike remains contentious. While Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah initially questioned the justification, he later conceded that the action might fall within the President’s authority to protect U.S. personnel, a stance clarified after discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

However, Democrats like Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) accused Trump administration officials of misleading Congress about their intentions in Latin America, particularly regarding regime change. “I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress,” Kim stated.

Public opinion appears to be against the intervention. A recent Quinnipiac poll shows that only 25% of Americans support military action in Venezuela, with even targeted operations against drug traffickers being unpopular.

Critics like Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M) highlighted the risks of dragging the U.S. into another conflict without the support of the American people or congressional consent.

As the political fallout continues, measures to restrict presidential authority on military actions in Venezuela are anticipated to resurface in Congress, with leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer promising to push for a vote on the matter.

This event has not only reignited debates over the executive's military powers but also raised concerns about the long-term implications for U.S. foreign policy and stability in Venezuela.