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Tonko Statement on Trump’s Illegal War in Venezuela
Amsterdam, NY,
January 3, 2026
AMSTERDAM, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today released the following statement on President Trump’s decision this morning to launch a reckless and illegal attack on Venezuela:
“President Trump’s decision to attack Venezuela and abduct its head of state is reckless and illegal. These actions are clear acts of war against a sovereign nation — a power reserved in our Constitution solely for Congress. In no way did Venezuela pose an imminent threat to the safety of the U.S. These unilateral actions will embolden autocrats around the world and will make the Western Hemisphere a less stable place.
“Under no circumstances should we be putting American service members at risk in a war over regime change and oil. We tried that in Iraq, and it was an utter disaster that cost thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars that should have been spent here in the United States. We should be focused on meeting the pressing and urgent needs of our country, not trying to run another.
“Republicans in Congress need to grow a spine and put a stop to Trump’s illegal and dangerous actions before more American blood and treasure is put at risk in a war precisely no one asked for.”
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