Strickland, Jayapal criticize Trump actions in Venezuela

Reps. Marilyn Strickland and Pramila Jayapal on Friday sharply criticized actions by the Trump administration in Venezuela, raising concerns about congressional authority, military involvement and accountability.

Jayapal, a Seattle Democrat, condemned what she described as an unauthorized military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling it an unconstitutional act that bypassed Congress.

“Maduro is an illegitimate dictator,” Jayapal said in a statement. “That fact alone does not give Trump and his administration the authority to invade Venezuela, kidnap him in the middle of the night, and force regime change—something the U.S. has tried and failed to do many times over.”

Strickland, a Tacoma Democrat and member of the House Armed Services Committee, focused her criticism on the impact such actions could have on U.S. service members.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I spend a lot of time talking about quality of life and what we can do to support our troops,” Strickland said. “And the best way we can support our troops and their families is to keep them out of war.”

Both Jayapal and Strickland said Congress must assert its role as a coequal branch of government to prevent unilateral military actions and ensure accountability.