In a dramatic escalation of political conflict, leading figures within the US Democratic Party have launched a fierce campaign to impeach President Donald Trump. This follows the large-scale military action against Venezuela over the past weekend, which resulted in the capture of the country's President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
Democrats Condemn 'Lawless' Military Action
The call for impeachment gained significant momentum on Monday, January 6, 2026, after details of the operation emerged. Numerous Democratic lawmakers have branded Trump's decision to authorise strikes and an invasion as a flagrant violation of the US Constitution. They argue it was a "lawless act" executed without the necessary authorisation from the United States Congress, which holds the sole power to declare war.
Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez expressed the sentiment of many, stating on social media platform X that Americans experienced a "sick sense of deja vu." She accused the administration of using liberty as a pretext to justify an invasion, aiming to drag the nation into an illegal, endless war for resource extraction and wealth expansion. "Trump must be impeached," she asserted, urging support for Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's War Powers Resolution designed to block further military action in Venezuela.
Comparisons to Russia and Calls for Accountability
The criticism was sharp and widespread. Representative Dan Goldman drew a direct parallel between Trump's actions and those of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "In Putin’s Russia, the oligarchs and oil executives make decisions with the dictator, not the legislature. That is exactly what Donald Trump did with Venezuela," Goldman stated, emphasising that Congress must hold the President accountable for overstepping his authority.
Echoing this constitutional concern, Representative April McClain Delaney labelled the weekend's events an "explicit violation of the Constitution." She highlighted that Trump not only attacked Venezuela without Congressional approval but also claimed authority to 'run' the country. "This follows a pattern of unlawful actions that undermine our national security and democratic stability, each of which is impeachable on its own," Delaney argued, calling for the immediate initiation of impeachment proceedings.
Trump Branded a "Total Failure"
From the Senate, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) launched a scathing attack, demanding impeachment for the "illegal invasion and coup in Venezuela." He accused President Trump of caring only for enriching his billionaire donors, with no regard for the human or economic cost of conquering another nation. In a strongly-worded statement, Wiener slammed Trump as a "total failure" and a "thug President," reiterating that the unauthorised invasion constitutes yet another impeachable offense.
Amidst this political firestorm, top officials from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, held a briefing for congressional leaders on Monday evening. They discussed the US government's plans for Venezuela's future. However, the session reportedly left key Democrats unsatisfied. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer noted it "posed far more questions than it answered." Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated he does not expect a further deployment of US troops to Venezuela.
The event marks a significant flashpoint in US domestic politics, setting the stage for a major constitutional clash between the executive and legislative branches over war powers and presidential authority.
