3 Jan 2026 11:14 am
ROG62 » 03 Jan 2026, 12:10 pm » wrote: ↑ Last Congressional Approval for Military ActionHistorical Context
The last formal declaration of war by Congress occurred during World War II. This was on December 8, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Congress declared war on Japan. Subsequently, on December 11, 1941, Congress declared war on Germany and Italy.
Recent Authorizations for Military ForceSince World War II, Congress has not issued formal declarations of war but has passed several Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs). These allow the President to engage in military actions without a formal declaration. Notable AUMFs include:
2001
War on Terror
Authorized military action against those responsible for the September 11 attacks.
2002
Iraq WarAuthorized military action to address the threat posed by Iraq.
impeachable my ***...
The United States conducted a "large-scale strike" in Venezuela today, January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, without explicit prior authorization from the U.S. Congress. This action has drawn significant criticism from some lawmakers who argue it violates the Constitution and the War Powers Act.
Coordination with Congress
- No Prior Authorization: President Trump did not seek or receive specific authorization from Congress for the military action in advance. The administration has faced ongoing criticism for previous, smaller strikes against alleged drug smugglers near Venezuela for this very reason.
- Congressional Debate: The lack of coordination is a point of major contention. The House of Representatives recently voted on (and narrowly defeated) resolutions in December 2025 designed to block the president from taking military action in Venezuela without congressional approval.
- Administration Assurances: Prior to today's major strike, administration officials had reportedly assured some Republican lawmakers that there were no plans for a land invasion in Venezuela.
- Trump's Stance: When faced with criticism for not seeking permission, President Trump dismissed the concerns, calling his critics "weak, stupid people" and defending the operation as "really genius".
- War Powers Act: The 1973 War Powers Act requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing U.S. forces into hostilities and requires withdrawal within 60 days without congressional authorization. It is expected that the administration will argue the strike falls under a different authority (e.g., drug interdiction), but many in Congress disagree.
- Maduro Captured: President Maduro and his wife were captured during an overnight operation and are reportedly being transported to New York to face criminal charges.
- Next Steps Undecided: The U.S. is now evaluating the next steps for governing Venezuela, with President Trump stating the U.S. "will be involved in it very much".
- International Reaction: The actions have been condemned by several countries, including China and Russia.
DUMP THE TRUMP SLUMP 2026!
Bump Caps Recommended..
Bump Caps Recommended..