Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R) said Sunday that President Trump told him he plans to brief members of Congress about possible military action in Latin America, including shifting potential strikes targeting Venezuela from sea to land.
Graham speaks to Margaret Brennan on CBS News.face the nation,” said ground attacks are “a real possibility” and that the president will brief lawmakers about possible operations in the region when he returns from Asia later this week.
“There will be a congressional briefing about a possible extension from sea to land. I support that idea, but I think [Trump] “He has all the rights he needs,” Graham said.
In early September, the President authorized a series of attacks in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing at least 43 people.
The administration has alleged, without providing public evidence, that the ships attacked were smuggling fentanyl, according to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). told ABC News On Sunday the administration… presented evidence There were drugs on the boats, but no fentanyl.
trump has also authorized The CIA operation in Venezuela and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week deployed an aircraft carrier and its strike group to South America. there are tricks tension increased Between the US and Venezuelan authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.
Asked if the administration’s actions toward Venezuela were a step toward regime change, Graham said, “I hope Maduro leaves peacefully, but I don’t think he’ll be there much longer.”
Hill has contacted the White House and the Pentagon to confirm the upcoming briefing.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has accused the US of murder in response to the attacks. Trump in response cuts in security assistance For Colombia and approved Petro personally.
The move has also been criticized by Democrats and select Republicans in Congress. According to Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the ability to declare warBut several presidents in recent memory have authorized military strikes abroad before notifying the legislative branch.
Earlier this month, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reintroduced a resolution To stop the strikes. An earlier measure was rejected 51-48 by the Senate a week earlier, with Paul and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski the lone Republican in favor and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman the lone Democrat in opposition.
