Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has rebranded his position as Secretary of War, followed the U.S. military invasion of Venezuela with a revealing press strategy: he shut out the Pentagon press corps and instead traveled with a hand-picked group of right-wing influencers and loyalist outlets on what the Pentagon itself branded the Arsenal of Freedom Tour. The timing was striking.
As justifications for Donald Trump's invasion of Venezuela proliferate and change, a video of former Fox host Tucker Carlson in which he claims that the U.S. wants Venezuela to legalize marriage for same-sex couples has resurfaced.
The President does not have the unilateral authority to invade foreign countries, oust their governments, and seize their resources. Under the Constitution, the power to go to war lies with the people's branch. It's time for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to reassert our constitutional role in authorizing military force when needed and holding President Trump accountable before the United States is engaged in another war the American people did not choose.
