Trump declares War Powers Act unconstitutional after Venezuela military action criticism

Following bipartisan Senate criticism of his unilateral military raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Trump posted on Truth Social on January 8-9, 2026, claiming 'The War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me.' The statement came as the Republican-led Senate advanced a war powers resolution to limit his ability to conduct further military operations in Venezuela without congressional approval. Trump also attacked five Republican senators who voted for the measure. Legal experts note that while presidents have long disputed the War Powers Resolution's constraints, courts have consistently declined to rule on its constitutionality, leaving the question unresolved.

"The War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me." — Posted on Truth Social January 8-9, 2026, in response to bipartisan Senate vote advancing war powers resolution to limit presidential military action in Venezuela