Sen. Chris Murphy Accuses Trump Officials of Misleading Congress Over Venezuela Operation

Blue Press Journal – In a sharp rebuke of Trump administration officials, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio of deceiving both Congress and the American public regarding the U.S. military’s recent actions in Venezuela. The senator’s remarks come in response to U.S.-led operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores—an event that has sparked serious debate about the scope of executive authority in foreign interventions. 

According to Murphy, administration officials “literally lied to our face” before the Venezuelan operation, insisting that the mission was a limited counternarcotics effort and not an attempt at regime change. “They aren’t being straight with the American people,” Murphy stated, emphasizing the absence of any formal briefing for Congress to clarify the operation’s objectives or strategy moving forward. 

Questions Over War Powers and Executive Authority

Murphy’s criticism also reignites discussion about the War Powers Act of 1973, a law designed to ensure that Congress maintains oversight over the deployment of U.S. armed forces. Under the Act, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of committing military forces to action and withdraw them within 60 days unless Congress authorizes the use of force. 

By bypassing this process, Murphy argues, the administration has undermined constitutional checks and balances. “Even if there are dictators around the world, that does not give any president unilateral power to invade another nation,” he said, cautioning that such actions erode the legitimacy of U.S. foreign policy and set a dangerous precedent for future administrations. 

The Broader Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy

The controversy underscores a recurring tension between the executive branch and Congress over control of military operations abroad. Critics contend that the lack of transparency not only damages America’s global credibility but also risks dragging the nation into unwarranted conflicts.