“At a time when Americans can’t afford rent, healthcare, or groceries, the Trump administration found time and money for regime change in Venezuela, risking a war that Americans don’t want. Before we spend another dollar on this reckless conflict, the American people deserve answers, including what this administration’s exit strategy is. Americans wanted help and hope in 2026, not another war,” said Tokuda.

U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

“Nicholas Maduro is an illegitimate and oppressive dictator and the people of Venezuela deserve better. But that alone doesn’t justify an armed attack on a sovereign country and forced regime change in violation of international law,” said Case. “And unless there was an imminent threat to our country, it doesn’t justify violating our Constitution and war powers law, which wisely reserves to Congress the grave decision to go to war.”

U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01)

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“I don’t yet know the full facts or the President’s justification to attack Venezuela, place our troops in harm’s way, capture Maduro and administer the country,” said Case. “But the precedent of any President taking our country to war arbitrarily, single-handedly and without the approval of Congress has cascading effects that are far more dangerous.”

U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01)

“President Trump is jeopardizing American lives and interests — and stating plainly that the purpose is for U.S. oil companies to make money in Venezuela. Either these companies knew about these plans in advance, or he’s ordering corporations to be a part of his effort to overthrow another government,” said Schatz. “This operation is illegal under international law and unconstitutional without prior congressional approval. The United States should not be running other countries for any reason. We should have learned by now not to get involved in endless wars and regime change missions that carry catastrophic consequences for Americans.”

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i)

“Nicolas Maduro should be held accountable for his actions, but Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to overthrow his regime does nothing to make our country safer. Instead, without any authorization from Congress or any clear plan for what comes next, Trump is plunging our nation into a conflict that could put American lives at risk while destabilizing the region and our relationships with our allies,” said Hirono. “Trump’s characteristically chaotic suggestion that the U.S is “going to run” Venezuela indefinitely, without any details, shows his disregard for the consequences of decades of misguided American intervention around the world. Trump promised to “end forever wars” and not engage in regime change. As usual, he says one thing and does another.”

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)