Sewell says that "President Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally invade a sovereign country"

January 3, 2025 - WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL07) released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump's (R) successful military action in Venezuela, seizing Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife without the loss of life of any American service members.

"There is no doubt that Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate and corrupt leader, but President Trump does NOT have the authority to unilaterally invade a sovereign country, capture its leader, and haul them back to the United States," stated Sewell. "His reckless actions threaten to further destabilize the region and put our troops in harm's way while dragging us into another regime-change war against the will of the American people. The fact that he did so without even briefing Congress, let alone seeking congressional approval-as required by the Constitution-is extremely alarming and sets a dangerous precedent."

"The Trump Administration must immediately explain to Congress and the American people why such an attack was justified and how it plans to ensure stability in the region," Sewell concluded.

Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL02) also criticized President Trump's actions.

"Donald Trump has seemed hell bent on starting a war since he returned to office," said Rep. Figures on his X account. "Acting without congressional authorization and stating the U.S. will "run" Venezuela puts American troops at risk and ignores the hard lessons of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam."

Sewell's comments closely parallelled the statements by other Democrats in Congress.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) said in her own statement, "President Trump's unilateral military action to attack another country and seize Maduro - no matter how terrible a dictator he is - is unconstitutional and threatens to drag the U.S. into further conflicts in the region. What does it mean that the U.S. will 'run' Venezuela, and what will Trump do next around the world? The American people voted for lower costs, not for Trump's dangerous military adventurism overseas that won't make the American people safer."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has long advocated for the overthrow of Maduro. Saturday's "law enforcement operation" was a tremendous win for the Secretary. Rubio has already had talks with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez about the transition of power. President Trump has said that Rubio will take a lead role in returning the South American country to stability. Venezuela was once the most stable and prosperous country in all of Latin America. The nation has been devastated by 26 years of incompetence by Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

French President Emanuel Macron released a statement supportive of the regime change in Venezuela.

"The Venezuelan people are rid today of Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship and can only rejoice," said Macron. "By seizing power and trampling on fundamental freedoms, Nicolas Maduro undermined the dignity of his own people. The upcoming transition must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people. We wish that President Edmundo Gonzales Urrutia, elected in 2024, can safely ensure this transition. I am exchanging with our partners in the region. France is fully mobilized and vigilant, including to ensure the safety of its nationals in these uncertain times."

Venezuela borders French Guiana – a French territory.

President Trump said that the actions were necessary, justified, and in-keeping with over 200 years of U.S. foreign policy established under the Monroe Doctrine.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell has represented Alabama's Seventh Congressional District since her election in 2010. She is seeking her ninth term in the U.S. Congress

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