The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, right in the heart of Caracas was touted as a victory and a necessary move by President Donald Trump, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wants to throw a monkey wrench into the action.

Through a bold law enforcement operation backed by American military muscle, Trump declared on Truth Social and in a subsequent press conference that the U.S. is now effectively “running” Venezuela, with senior officials like Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine at the helm.

Critics believe that bypassing Congressional approval for such a move could set a dangerous precedent, leaving our system of checks and balances at risk. Removing a problematic regime is a win, but we must follow the protocols on which our democracy was built.

Trump’s Bold Move Shakes Venezuela

The operation, which Trump touted with characteristic bravado, didn’t just stop at arrests—it reportedly included bombings of civilian and military targets inside Venezuela, a detail that’s got many on edge. While conservatives may cheer the ousting of a leader indicted for drug trafficking, the method and lack of legislative oversight are tough pills to swallow.

Not everyone’s clapping for this power play, especially not Democratic New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who took to the airwaves on “This Week” with host George Stephanopoulos to slam the operation as pure “lawlessness.” He’s not wrong to question the authority behind such a sweeping action, but let’s be real—where was this energy when he criticized Trump in 2020 for not doing enough to topple Maduro?

Schumer’s past words haunt him now: “The president brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break,” he said back in 2020, chiding Trump for failing to end Maduro’s reign. Funny how the tune changes when the job actually gets done, isn’t it?

Schumer’s Resolution Sparks Debate

Now, Schumer’s pushing back hard, announcing plans to introduce a War Powers Act resolution alongside Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul to stop further military moves in Venezuela without Congress’s green light. He’s calling it a “privileged resolution,” meaning Republicans can’t just sweep it under the rug—it’s hitting the Senate floor this week.

Schumer warned, “They went inside Venezuela, bombed civilian as well as military places. And it’s a violation of the law to do what they did without getting the authorization of Congress." If he’s right about the extent of the destruction, conservatives should be asking tough questions about collateral damage, even if we support the broader goal.

Congressional Democrats are up in arms, labeling this an “illegal war,” while voices on social media platforms like Bluesky, including podcasters Keith Olbermann and Dean Obeidallah, are even calling for Trump’s impeachment over the operation. Their outrage might be predictable, but it underscores a real divide on how far executive power should stretch.

Congressional Oversight Hangs in Balance

If Schumer’s resolution passes both houses, Trump would be barred from further action in Venezuela without Congressional approval—a serious check on presidential authority. For those of us wary of unchecked progressive agendas, this could be a double-edged sword; we want strong leadership, but not at the expense of our constitutional framework.

Schumer’s also accusing Trump’s team of misleading both Congress and the American public about the operation’s scope. That’s a hefty charge, and from a populist perspective, we should demand every detail be laid bare—no smoke and mirrors allowed in matters of war and peace.

The operation’s fallout has conservatives in a bind: Maduro’s removal aligns with long-standing calls for regime change, especially given his 2020 drug trafficking indictment, but the lack of legislative buy-in stinks of overreach. We’re not here for blind loyalty; we’re here for results that respect the rule of law.

What’s Next for Venezuela Policy?

Trump’s press conference claim that the U.S. is “running” Venezuela raises big questions about what that actually means for American involvement. Are we looking at a long-term commitment, or a quick in-and-out mission? Taxpayers deserve clarity on the price tag.

As the War Powers resolution looms, the debate isn’t just about Venezuela—it’s about the balance of power here at home. Conservatives should rally behind leaders who take decisive action but also insist on keeping Congress in the loop; anything less risks sliding into the kind of unchecked governance we often criticize on the left.

So, while Trump’s move might score points for tackling a notorious regime, Schumer’s pushback reminds us that process matters just as much as results. Let’s keep the pressure on both sides to ensure America’s interests—and her principles—come first in this high-stakes game.