Thu Jan 08 03:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Congress Sidestepped as Trump Administration Captures Venezuelan President Maduro
The Story:
Representative Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, expressed dismay at learning about the U.S. military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a friend’s text message, rather than through official channels. This incident underscores growing concerns about the Trump administration’s disregard for Congressional oversight in military operations and foreign policy. Republican leaders are accused of enabling this executive overreach, effectively diminishing Congress’s role as a co-equal branch of government.
Key Points:
* Representative Seth Moulton learned of Maduro’s capture via text, highlighting a lack of communication between the administration and Congress.
* Republican leaders are accused of weakening Congress by not challenging the administration’s unilateral actions.
* Speaker Mike Johnson defended the capture as a “law-enforcement action,” downplaying it as an act of war.
* Some Republicans, like Representative Tim Burchett, support bypassing Congress, citing concerns about information leaks.
* Senator Tim Kaine is spearheading a War Powers Resolution to reassert Congressional authority over military actions in Venezuela.
Key Takeaways:
* The Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela demonstrate a significant expansion of executive power at the expense of Congressional oversight.
* Partisan divisions are exacerbating the issue, with Republican leaders largely enabling the administration’s actions.
* There is a growing concern that Congress is failing to fulfill its constitutional role in checking the power of the executive branch, particularly in matters of war and foreign policy.
First Piper 