Hold the missiles, Mr. President—Senator Rand Paul has a constitutional reminder for Donald Trump before any boots hit Venezuelan soil.
According to Breitbart, on a recent broadcast of Fox News Channel’s “America Reports,” Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, tackled the hot-button issue of potential military action against Venezuela with a firm stance on legislative authority.
During the segment, host John Roberts pressed Paul on whether Trump might be considering an invasion or full-scale conflict south of the border. “About President Trump going to war in Venezuela, or at the very least, mounting some sort of an invasion. Do you think that that is in the cards?” Roberts asked. Well, that’s a spicy question, but Paul didn’t bite on speculation—he went straight for the rulebook.
“You know, I’m kind of old fashioned. I kind of like to obey this thing called the Constitution,” Paul quipped during the interview. If that’s not a polite jab at executive overreach, what is?
Paul doubled down, stressing that only Congress holds the power to declare war, not the Oval Office. He’s not wrong—our founding document is crystal clear on this, even if some past leaders have treated it like a suggestion rather than law.
Now, let’s be real: the idea of military action in Venezuela isn’t about defending the homeland from an imminent threat. Paul himself called it a “war of choice,” an offensive move rather than a necessary one. That’s a sobering label for a conflict that could cost lives and treasure over what he admits are “distasteful” figures in power down there.
But distasteful or not, Paul isn’t giving Trump a free pass to play global sheriff. He argued that bypassing Congress for such a move would be flat-out unconstitutional. That’s a line in the sand conservatives should applaud, even if they’re itching to see certain regimes toppled.
After all, unchecked power is the kind of thing that fuels the progressive agenda we often rail against—government overreach doesn’t pick a party. Paul’s stand is a reminder that principles matter more than expediency, no matter how much we might dislike the players involved.
So, what’s the right path if Trump’s team is seriously eyeing Venezuela? Paul’s answer is straightforward: come to Congress and make the case. It’s not just protocol; it’s the law, and ignoring it sets a dangerous precedent for any administration, red or blue.
“So if he thinks he wants war with Venezuela, he should come and ask for permission from Congress the way it was intended,” Paul stated firmly. That’s not just a suggestion—it’s a constitutional mandate, and sidestepping it would be a betrayal of the very framework conservatives claim to defend.
Let’s unpack this a bit. The notion of an offensive conflict—one we choose rather than one forced upon us—demands the highest level of scrutiny and debate. Congress isn’t just a rubber stamp; it’s the voice of the people on matters of life and death.
Paul’s point cuts through the noise of partisan cheerleading. Even if the targets in Venezuela are widely despised, that’s no excuse to toss out the rule of law. Principles over personalities should be the conservative rallying cry here.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about whether Venezuela’s leadership deserves a reckoning—many would argue they do. It’s about ensuring that such a reckoning doesn’t come at the expense of our own system of checks and balances.
Paul’s insistence on congressional approval is a stand for accountability, something sorely lacking in too many corners of government these days. It’s a reminder that even in a world of complex threats and unsavory actors, the Constitution isn’t just a relic—it’s a roadmap. And if Trump or any leader wants to take us down the path of war, they’d better follow it.