Rep. John Larson Files 13 Articles to Impeach Trump Over Venezuela Actions and War Powers
Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., a 77-year-old seeking a 15th House term, has introduced 13 articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, accusing him of usurping Congress’ war powers and committing "murder, war crimes, and piracy" through military actions in and around Venezuela and other operations. The resolution cites Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela, deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities, an executive order to curtail birthright citizenship, a naval blockade targeting Venezuela-related oil tankers, and dozens of strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean. Larson’s move is widely seen as a long-shot in the Republican-controlled House but comes as he faces a serious primary challenge from younger Democrat Luke Bronin, a former Hartford mayor and military veteran who has urged him to step aside after nearly three decades in Congress. House Democratic leadership has not publicly backed the effort, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office declined immediate comment, underscoring the gap between rank-and-file impeachment pushes and party leaders’ stated focus on cost-of-living concerns. Trump has been warning supporters that Democrats will seek a third impeachment if they regain the House in 2027, and Larson’s filing gives him fresh ammunition in that argument even if it never reaches a floor vote.
📌 Key Facts
- Rep. John Larson introduced 13 articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, targeting his Venezuela intervention, domestic National Guard deployments, and an executive order curtailing birthright citizenship.
- The resolution accuses Trump of "serial usurpation" of congressional war powers and of "murder, war crimes, and piracy" for a naval blockade around Venezuela and strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels.
- Larson, age 77 and in Congress nearly 30 years, faces a primary challenge from 46-year-old former Hartford mayor and veteran Luke Bronin, who has called for generational change.
- The Republican-controlled House makes it highly unlikely the impeachment articles will advance to a trial, and House Democratic leadership has not endorsed the move.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, about 9% of U.S. births, or approximately 320,000 babies, were to mothers who were unauthorized immigrants or legal temporary residents, with these children gaining birthright citizenship.
About 9% of U.S. births in 2023 were to unauthorized or temporary legal immigrant mothers — Pew Research Center
Ending birthright citizenship would impact Asians and Latinos most, with projections estimating 5.3 million children born to undocumented parents over the next 25 years, including 3 million to Latino parents.
Ending birthright citizenship would impact Asians and Latinos most, study finds — Penn State University
Venezuelan migration to the U.S. since 2015 has been driven by economic collapse, political instability, widespread violence, corruption, and a lack of food, water, and medicine, leading to over 831,000 Venezuelans entering U.S. custody at the border since 2020.
Venezuelan Migration: Past, Present, and Future — Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Among the approximately 1 million Venezuelans in the United States as of 2024, 18% live in poverty, nearly double the national average of 10.4%.
Most of the 1 million Venezuelans in the United States live in poverty — WLRN
Hartford, Connecticut, has an immigrant population of about 159,600, representing 14% of its total population, with Connecticut overall relying heavily on international migration for population growth despite a recent dip.
Hartford, Connecticut Immigrant Population Profile — Vera Institute
National Guard deployments to U.S. cities under the Trump administration cost taxpayers about $496 million in 2025, with projections of $18 million to $21 million per month for deploying 1,000 personnel, aimed at addressing crime, protests, and civil unrest.
Estimating the Costs of Troop Deployments to U.S. Cities — Congressional Budget Office
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time