Standing outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the United States “is going to run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” The president added that U.S. energy companies would rehabilitate the country’s oil infrastructure, which has deteriorated during years of economic crisis. No timetable or cost estimate was provided.
Schumer expressed doubt that the administration has a viable reconstruction plan. “These oil fields have been in disrepair for years,” he told viewers. “We have no idea how long it will take to restore production, how much it will cost, or whether U.S. troops will be needed to guard the sites.” He described the proposal as a “back-of-the-envelope operation” that could leave the United States financially and militarily entangled for an extended period.
The senator also faulted Trump for abandoning a signature campaign pledge to avoid open-ended conflicts. “The American people are worried that this is creating an endless war—the very thing Donald Trump repeatedly promised to prevent,” Schumer said. He pointed to previous U.S. attempts at regime change and nation-building, arguing that such efforts have often required substantial troop deployments and resulted in significant human and monetary costs.
Reactions on Capitol Hill have largely followed party lines. Several leading Republicans have praised the strike as a decisive move against an alleged narcoterrorist threat, while most Democrats have labeled it unjustified and potentially destabilizing. Lawmakers from both parties, however, have requested closed-door briefings to clarify the administration’s objectives and the legal rationale for bypassing Congress.
Schumer warned that failing to consult legislators not only violates the War Powers Resolution but also undermines the constitutional separation of powers. The statute, enacted in 1973, limits presidential authority to deploy armed forces without explicit congressional consent and sets strict reporting requirements. Background on the measure is available through the Office of the Historian at the U.S. Department of State (history.state.gov).
Imagem: Internet
While the ABC interview focused heavily on Venezuela, Schumer was also asked about domestic issues. He blamed Republican leaders for allowing subsidy protections under the Affordable Care Act to lapse at the end of 2025, saying expired premium supports have already driven up insurance costs for millions of families. “If the majority party can find a way out of this mess, we are ready to work with anyone to lower prices,” he said, referring to negotiations that stalled in the Senate late last year.
On the question of a possible government shutdown, Schumer voiced optimism that Congress can pass full-year appropriations bills before existing funding expires. He noted that Democratic and Republican appropriators “are making good progress” on a comprehensive package that would finance federal agencies through 2026, though the timeline for final votes remains uncertain.
Trump administration officials have not indicated whether additional forces will deploy to Venezuela, nor have they detailed how long U.S. personnel already on the ground will remain. National Security Council spokespersons have said only that the mission’s goal is to stabilize the country, facilitate humanitarian assistance and support a transition to what the president calls “legitimate governance.” No interim leadership arrangement has been announced, and Schumer underscored the resulting uncertainty. “Nobody knows who is running Venezuela right now,” he told viewers, adding that such ambiguity increases the risk of a protracted engagement.
As events unfold, members of both parties are expected to press for clarity on troop levels, costs and the ultimate political end state sought by the administration. Congressional hearings on the operation—and on the broader question of presidential war powers—are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News
