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By Jenna Sundel and Jason Lemon
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President Donald Trump blasted Republican senators who voted in favor of a War Powers Resolution on Thursday.
"Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again," the president wrote on Truth Social.
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Why It Matters
The comments from the president come after the Senate on Thursday advanced a resolution to curb Trump’s authority to launch further attacks on Venezuela, signaling disapproval of his growing ambitions in the Western Hemisphere.
Democrats were joined by five Republican Senators in the 52-47 vote to advance the war powers resolution, setting up a later vote on final passage. The measure is unlikely to become law because it would need to pass the House and be signed by Trump. But the vote signaled unease among some Republicans after U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.
What To Know
The resolution's success came after several failures by Senate Democrats to pass similar measures while the Trump administration carried out military strikes on vessels accused of carrying drugs in the Caribbean. In a vote on a similar measure in November, Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only GOP members who joined Senate Democrats.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri explained his vote on the resolution on X, writing, "With regard to Venezuela, my read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it. That’s why I voted yes on this morning’s Senate resolution."
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said in a statement posted on X that she supported the operation to seize Maduro, but she does not support "committing additional U.S. forces or entering into any long-term military involvement in Venezuela or Greenland without specific congressional authorization."
Brendan Pedersen, a reporter at Punchbowl News, said on X that he asked Collins about Trump's post.
Collins said, "The president, obviously, is unhappy with the vote. I guess this means that he would prefer to have Governor Mills or somebody else with whom he's not had a great relationship," according to Pedersen.
Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills is one of a number of declared candidates running for Collins' seat in 2026. Collins has said she intends to run for reelection. Maine is a top target for Democrats if they hope to flip the Senate majority in a tough midterm map.
Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana said in a statement posted on X that he also supported Trump's decision to "bring Maduro to justice for his many crimes." He said the vote on the resolution was about potential future military action.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief. In any event, and despite their 'stupidity,' the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject."
Senator Susan Collins, in a statement posted on X: "I believe invoking the War Powers Act at this moment is necessary, given the President's comments about the possibility of 'boots on the ground' and a sustained engagement 'running' Venezuela, with which I do not agree."
Senator Todd Young, in a statement posted on X: "President Trump campaigned against forever wars, and I strongly support him in that position. A drawn-out campaign in Venezuela involving the American military, even if unintended, would be the opposite of President Trump's goal of ending foreign entanglements. The Constitution requires that Congress first authorize operations involving American boots on the ground, and my vote today reaffirms that longstanding congressional role."
What Happens Next
In order to become law, the resolution would have to pass the Republican-controlled House and be signed by Trump, both of which are highly unlikely. House Democrats were slated to introduce a similar resolution on Thursday.
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