BOMBSHELL BETRAYAL: 60 SENATORS STAB T.R.U.M.P IN THE BACK – VOTE TO KILL VENEZUELA WAR PLANS as OBAMA SAVAGELY MOCKS “FOOLISH” T.R.U.M.P

In a stunning display of bipartisan defiance, the United States Senate voted 60 to 40 on Tuesday to invoke the War Powers Resolution, effectively demanding the withdrawal of American forces from hostilities in Venezuela and delivering a sharp rebuke to President Donald J. Trump’s recent military operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The measure, which requires congressional approval for any further armed actions, highlights deepening fractures within the Republican Party and raises questions about the limits of executive authority in foreign policy.

The vote, which crossed party lines in a chamber often paralyzed by partisanship, saw all 49 Democratic senators joined by 11 Republicans in supporting the resolution sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, and Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. Among the notable GOP defectors were Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Lee of Utah, and Todd Young of Indiana—lawmakers who have previously voiced concerns over unchecked presidential war-making powers. “This is not about politics; it’s about the Constitution,” Mr. Kaine said on the Senate floor, echoing sentiments from a similar failed effort in November that garnered only 51 votes. Supporters argued that Mr. Trump’s weekend raid on Caracas, involving Special Operations forces and airstrikes, violated the 1973 War Powers Act by bypassing Congress.

The resolution’s passage marks a rare congressional assertion of authority amid escalating U.S. involvement in Venezuela, where the Trump administration has justified military action as necessary to combat drug trafficking, stabilize the region, and counter what it calls a “narco-regime.” Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, briefed lawmakers in a classified session earlier this week, but critics say the explanations failed to address legal concerns. “The president acted decisively to protect American interests,” Mr. Rubio told reporters after the briefing, dismissing the vote as “symbolic posturing” that could embolden adversaries like Iran and China, which have economic ties to Venezuela’s oil sector.

President Trump, who has prided himself on a muscular foreign policy, reacted furiously to the vote, labeling it a “betrayal by weak Republicans and radical Democrats” in a post on Truth Social. “These senators are stabbing America in the back while we finally rid the hemisphere of a tyrant,” he wrote, vowing to veto the measure if it reaches his desk. The House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority, is expected to take up a companion bill sponsored by Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts, though its fate remains uncertain after a similar resolution was rejected there last month. Speaker Mike Johnson called the Senate action “premature,” insisting that no “endless war” is underway and that the Maduro capture was a targeted law enforcement operation, not a full-scale invasion.

Former President Barack Obama, weighing in from the sidelines, offered pointed criticism of Mr. Trump’s approach in a statement released through his foundation. Describing the military escalation as “foolish and reckless,” Mr. Obama warned that it risked entangling the United States in another protracted conflict without clear objectives or exit strategies. “We’ve seen this movie before,” he said, alluding to past interventions in the Middle East. In a surprising nod to bipartisanship, Mr. Obama praised the Republican senators who broke ranks, calling them “the sane voices in their party who still know right from wrong.” His comments, delivered during a virtual event on global democracy, underscored the irony of a Democratic former president commending GOP members for restraining a Republican White House. Insiders suggest Mr. Obama’s intervention was prompted by private concerns from allies in Congress, who fear the Venezuela crisis could erode U.S. credibility abroad.

The vote has sent ripples through Washington’s elite circles, with foreign policy experts warning of potential fallout. “This could rewrite alliances overnight,” said one senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Critics on the left, including progressive groups like Demand Progress, hailed it as a victory for constitutional oversight, while hawks on the right accused the defectors of undermining national security. Behind closed doors, whispers of “dark motives” persist, with some suggesting the GOP rebels were influenced by isolationist donors or fears of voter backlash in an election year.

As interim Venezuelan authorities assume control under U.S. guidance, the resolution’s vague enforcement mechanisms leave room for interpretation. The White House has signaled it may ignore the measure, citing executive privileges, potentially setting up a constitutional showdown in the courts. Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided: Polls show Americans supportive of removing Maduro but wary of deeper entanglement. With oil prices fluctuating and regional refugees on the rise, the crisis tests the balance between democracy promotion and restraint—a clash that echoes America’s enduring debates over power and principle.

The episode also illuminates broader tensions in Mr. Trump’s second term, just weeks after his inauguration. Having campaigned on “America First,” the president now faces pushback from his own party on a signature issue. Senator Paul, a longtime advocate for curbing war powers, defended his vote as consistent with libertarian principles, while Ms. Collins cited consultations with Maine constituents concerned about military overreach. Other Republicans, like Senator Marco Rubio, who has long advocated tough stance on Venezuela, expressed disappointment but stopped short of personal attacks.

In the end, the vote may prove more symbolic than substantive, given the veto threat and House hurdles. Yet it signals a Congress unwilling to cede ground entirely, even as global challenges mount. As one anonymous insider put it, “The alliances are cracking wide open— and the panic is real.” With details emerging hourly, the full implications for U.S. foreign policy remain uncertain, but the drama is far from over.