Venezuela

[tobetrained]

@SDCumPup OK. But can you let me know why you're responding to my quoted comment with that info?

[Rillion]

14 hours ago, SDCumPup said:

Actually, there are several issues at play here. 
First, 50 US Code 1542 requires the president to consult with Congress before sending the US Armed Forces into another sovereign country for any sort of emergency action, Trump failed to do so, thus violating federal law.

Second, by ordering US Armed Forces to enter Venezuela and engage in aggressive operations in order to abduct the head of state of Venezuela and his wife, Trump has committed an overt act of a war of aggression, thus violating international law.

Third, add in all of the blatant and unprovoked attacks against the smaller vessels leading to the sinking of said vessels in international waters, yet more violations of international law.

Fourth, sanctioning the second strikes against the shipwrecked vessels with survivors in international waters, which is not only a violation of international law but also a clear crime against humanity.

Finally, and this is actually the keystone, Trump, in his idiocy, has placed Maduro on trial in US federal courts, forcing Maduro to actually enter a plea. Maduro is a recognized head of state for a sovereign nation, meaning that he has diplomatic immunity granted to him automatically and isn’t subject to any courts of law outside those of Venezuela or the International Criminal Court. That’s why Safdam Hussein was put on trial in Iraq. That’s why all of the various defendants from WWII Axis countries were tried in their own home countries. Rudolf Hess had been held in prison in Britain since 1941, but was still returned to Germany for trial. Nicholas Maduro isn’t subject to the laws of the United States nor to our judicial system. However, because Trump, a fellow head of state, refuses to honor the sovereignty of other nations and the diplomatic immunity granted to the heads of state of other nations, he’s effectively forfeiting his own. That means the next time he wants to go play golf at one of his resorts in Scotland, the Scottish can nab him and drop him at the ICC before anyone else can respond. Quite frankly, if they did, pretty much all of Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, East Asia, Western Asia, and I’m pretty certain Central Asia would defend Scotland.

On that final point, right or wrong that argument didn't work for Noriega, so I doubt it will work for Maduro. 

[tobetrained]

@SDCumPup To continue a discussion of your points, separate from my comment you quoted, I asked AI to list examples of other actions with claims of breaking the War Power Resolution:

-- start snippet of AI response --

• Richard NixonBombing in Cambodia1970Initiated airstrikes without Congressional approval.
• Ronald ReaganInvasion of Grenada1983Conducted military action without prior consultation.
• Bill ClintonAirstrikes in Kosovo1999Launched military action without Congress voting on it.
• George W. BushInvasion of Iraq2003Approved after a Congressional resolution, but initial actions were deemed rapid deployment.
• Barack ObamaMilitary intervention in Libya2011Engaged in military operations without Congressional authorization.
• Donald TrumpStrikes against ISIS2017Conducted strikes without explicit approval from Congress.
• Joe BidenMilitary action in Afghanistan2021Continued military operations without fresh congressional authorization post-withdrawal.

General Observations

• Frequency: Presidents have often circumvented the War Powers Resolution, claiming the need for swift military action as a rationale.
• Political Consequences: While some presidents have faced criticism, others navigated these actions without major political fallout.
• Legal Challenges: Congress has occasionally challenged presidential actions, but courts have often avoided ruling on such matters, invoking separation of powers.

-- end snippet of AI response --

Also, there can be a technical different in military vs. anti-terror-related. Lip service or not, if we quote law, it matters.

I also made comment on Jan 8 relating to Congress' continued delinquency of authority on the issue:

"It takes extreme behavior to create change, right.

Here's a possible benefit:
[think before following links] [think before following links] https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/08/senate-votes-to-restrict-trump-on-venezuela-00716127

Congress has spent decades abdicating its authority then grandstanding on outcomes, for electoral purposes. Maybe, just maybe, they will get their act together now and reclaim their constitutional duty."

Republicans terminated that this week as Democrats have done for their Presidents before them. Bipartisan idiocy there.

Over-riding much of your international law argument is that Maduro was not recognized by the US and many other countries as the rightful leader on Venezuela. He stole the last election and was illegitimately in his position. 

As well, @Rillion's point probably holds for your 2nd and last point.

But I would add on this and so much more:

I know it's hard, but we need to stop looking at the world through this Trump lens. For those that hate him, and there's plenty of reason to do so, acting and reacting this way is his goal: to make himself the center of attention.

[Pozzible]

Apropos only to my last reaction. I hadn’t noticed the trophy reaction is just ”thanks.” I thought it meant best comment! (So I used it the way I thought it should be used.)