MADISON, Wis. (WKBT) — In the wake of early morning strikes in Venezuela and the capture of president Nicolás Maduro, Wisconsin lawmakers are sharing their reactions. 

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called the operation ‘unauthorized’ while Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R) WI-03 praised the president’s ‘decisive leadership’ in statements released Saturday.

Baldwin’s full statement is the following:

“After months of carrying out illegal strikes in the Caribbean, President Trump’s unauthorized military attack on Venezuela to arrest Maduro and take control of a sovereign nation puts American troops in harm’s way with no transparency, justification, or clear path forward. 

“I’m committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs and standing up to illegitimate dictators like Maduro, but President Trump has made a unilateral decision to initiate regime change, deploy American troops on the ground, and seemingly take control of Venezuela, all without congressional approval.

“The President does not have the unilateral authority to invade foreign countries, oust their governments, and seize their resources. Under the Constitution, the power to go to war lies with the people’s branch. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to reassert our constitutional role in authorizing military force when needed and holding President Trump accountable before the United States is engaged in another war the American people did not choose.”

Van Orden’s full statement is the following:

“This operation sends a clear message to America’s adversaries: harming U.S. citizens carries consequences. 

Nicolás Maduro operated as a narco-terrorist under the false cover of political authority. His criminal network helped fuel the drug trafficking that has killed thousands of Americans. He is now detained and no longer in a position to threaten American lives. 

President Trump’s decisive leadership made this possible. His administration has made it clear that America will no longer tolerate narco-terrorists who profit from the deaths of our citizens.”

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