War Powers and Venezuela

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.