• President Trump refutes Miami Herald report claiming decision made to strike Venezuelan military sites, saying no decision reached on potential operations
• Disputed leader Nicholas Maduro reportedly seeking military assistance from Russia and China including defensive radars, aircraft repairs, and missiles
• Bipartisan Senate leaders demand transparency from Pentagon on legal rationale for drug interdiction operations as carrier strike group deploys to Caribbean

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — President Donald Trump denied reports that he has decided to authorize military strikes inside Venezuela, even as the Pentagon deploys a carrier strike group to the Caribbean and bipartisan senators demand answers about the legal authority behind escalating anti-drug operations.

Trump contradicts strike timeline reports

When asked directly about a Miami Herald report claiming he had decided to strike military sites inside Venezuela at any moment, Trump responded with a single word: “No.” The president clarified that while he has indicated openness to expanding his war on drugs from sea to land, no decision has been made regarding strikes within Venezuelan territory.

The Wall Street Journal separately reported that the administration has identified targets used to transport drugs but confirmed the president hasn’t finalized any strike decision. The conflicting reports highlight uncertainty surrounding the administration’s military posture toward Venezuela.

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Maduro seeks support from US adversaries

As American military pressure intensifies, disputed Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro is turning to Russia and China for military assistance, according to the Washington Post. Maduro has reportedly requested defensive radars, aircraft repairs, and potentially missiles from Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also seeking expanded military cooperation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The outreach to America’s geopolitical rivals comes as the Pentagon ramps up attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. A carrier strike group is currently en route to the region as part of the administration’s expanded anti-narcotics operations.

The timing of Maduro’s requests suggests increasing concern within Venezuela about potential American military action, despite Trump’s public denial of imminent strikes.

Bipartisan senators demand legal justification

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Frustration is mounting on Capitol Hill over both the legality of current operations and the administration’s lack of transparency. The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee complained they have yet to receive responses to congressional inquiries about legal authority from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“We are violating the Constitution. There is supposed to be due process,” one senator stated during recent remarks.

More Republicans are calling for transparency after Senate Democrats were excluded from a classified briefing the White House organized this week. Lawmakers from both parties are demanding the administration “give the same briefing to every Republican, to every Democrat in the United States Senate.”

Bipartisan resolution targets war powers

Republican Senator Rand Paul is reportedly joining forces with Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine to force a vote on a resolution that would prevent the president from unilaterally declaring war on Venezuela. The unusual bipartisan coalition reflects growing concerns about executive overreach on military operations.

The resolution is expected to come up for consideration next week, setting up a potential showdown between Congress and the White House over war powers. The move echoes similar congressional efforts to reassert legislative authority over military commitments during previous administrations.

Constitutional scholars have noted that while the president serves as commander-in-chief, Congress holds the power to declare war under Article I of the Constitution. The debate centers on whether current anti-drug operations constitute acts of war requiring congressional authorization.

Federal judge blocks voter citizenship requirement

In a separate development, a federal judge in Washington blocked Trump’s executive order requiring voters to prove citizenship when registering for federal elections. The ruling represents a significant victory for Democrats and civil rights groups who challenged the directive.

The judge ruled the order unconstitutional, writing: “Because our constitution assigns responsibility for election regulation to the states and to Congress, this court holds that the president lacks the authority to direct such changes.”

The White House has not yet responded to the ruling, which adds to ongoing legal battles over election administration. The decision reinforces the principle that election regulation falls primarily under state jurisdiction and congressional authority rather than executive action.

Should Congress assert greater oversight over military operations before strikes are authorized on foreign soil?

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