Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine are taking a stand against unilateral military action by the Trump administration by introducing a joint resolution under the War Powers Act. This initiative seeks to prevent the U.S. military from engaging in hostilities against nonstate actors without explicit congressional authorization. Their efforts come in the wake of controversial U.S. strikes on vessels off the coast of Venezuela, which were purportedly aimed at “narcoterrorists” accused of trafficking illegal drugs into the United States.
The strikes, executed on September 2 and 15, resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals, raising significant concerns regarding the legality and justification of these actions. President Trump recently suggested that a third vessel had also been targeted, though he provided little detail about this claim.
In defense of the strikes, Trump has asserted that they are essential for national security, stating on his Truth Social platform that “these extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.” However, critics argue that such strikes violate both U.S. and international law, contending that drug traffickers do not qualify as combatants under the law.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the September 2 attack as a “military attack on civilians.” The military operations, alongside a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, have sparked speculation that Trump may be pursuing regime change in Venezuela—a claim he has denied.
Senator Schiff expressed his concerns about the administration’s intentions, stating, “It’s very difficult to tell what the Trump administration’s end game is with the strikes. Certainly, they’re aiming to look strong on counternarcotics, but they’re also looking very reckless.” He characterized the strikes as “essentially extrajudicial killings,” emphasizing the need for accountability and oversight.
Schiff criticized Trump’s ambiguous reference to a third targeted boat, pointing out the lack of notification to Congress regarding these military actions. He warned, “Someone is going to make a serious mistake. It’s possible they already have. We just don’t know, and that is one of the reasons why we’re forcing a vote on the War Powers Resolution to put members of the Senate on record.”
In a statement, Senator Kaine echoed these sentiments, highlighting the administration’s failure to provide Congress with fundamental information about the strikes, including details about the casualties and the rationale behind risking servicemembers’ lives. Reports indicate that a classified Pentagon briefing on the strikes left many members of the House Armed Services Committee dissatisfied with the information disclosed.
The U.S. Constitution designates Congress with the power to declare war, while the president is recognized as the commander in chief of the military, which has historically granted presidents considerable leeway to act in the name of national security. However, the lethal targeting of alleged drug traffickers represents a potentially unprecedented use of military force, prompting fears that Trump’s actions may overextend presidential authority. Typically, maritime counternarcotics operations are conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, which focuses on disabling vessels rather than destroying them.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the actual affiliations of the targeted vessels. When pressed on whether people not involved in drug trafficking could have been aboard the targeted boats, Schiff remarked, “We just don’t know. We’ve gotten little or no information from the White House and the Defense Department about this.” He expressed skepticism about the administration’s decision-making process, cautioning against the “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality.
Senators Schiff and Kaine’s resolution aims to support the executive branch in combating illegal drug trafficking while clarifying that the mere act of drug trafficking does not constitute an armed attack that warrants military engagement.
In recent years, there has been bipartisan consensus among lawmakers to rein in presidential war powers and restore congressional authority over military action. The Authorizations for Use of Military Force passed after the 9/11 attacks have been criticized for granting successive presidents unchecked powers to engage in military operations against terrorist groups globally. While Trump has labeled Venezuelan drug cartels as terrorist organizations, Congress has yet to authorize the use of military force against such groups.
While many Republican lawmakers have endorsed Trump’s recent military actions, Senator Rand Paul has vocalized his opposition, criticizing the rhetoric surrounding the justification for the strikes. After Vice President J.D. Vance claimed that “killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military,” Paul countered, “What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.”
Schiff expressed hope for bipartisan support for the War Powers Resolution, noting that discussions have taken place with Republican senators at the staff level. War powers resolutions are privileged in the Senate, meaning a vote will occur soon, although the exact timing remains uncertain.
In response to inquiries about the resolution, White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly criticized Democrats for what she termed “running cover for evil narcoterrorists.” She defended the administration’s actions as consistent with the laws of armed conflict, asserting that the president is fulfilling his commitment to combat cartels and mitigate threats to American lives.
Meanwhile, there are reports of draft legislation circulating in the White House and Congress that would empower Trump to pursue groups he designates as terrorists engaged in drug trafficking, along with the countries that harbor them. Schiff expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such broad authority passing through Congress, warning that it would represent a troubling extension of executive power.
As lawmakers grapple with the implications of these military actions, Schiff cautioned against granting the president expansive, vague authority to employ deadly force, emphasizing that the consequences of such decisions could reverberate for years to come.
