Top House Democrat Says 'No Way On Earth' U.S. Should Go to War With Venezuela — Warns Against Regime Change

Top House Democrat Rejects War With Venezuela, Warns Against Regime-Change Approach

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, on Thursday forcefully rejected the prospect of the United States going to war with Venezuela as tensions between the two countries escalate.

Speaking with Blake Burman on 'The Hill on NewsNation,' Smith said he could not predict the president's next move but was unequivocal about U.S. military intervention:

'There is no way on earth we should be going to war or trying to do regime change in Venezuela.'

Smith urged the U.S. to abandon efforts to remove foreign leaders by force. 'I'm not a fan of [Venezuelan President Nicolás] Maduro,' he said, 'but the idea that all you have to do is remove someone and something better automatically comes in its place is wrong. Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and many other examples should have taught us that lesson by now.'

He also criticized former President Donald Trump's recent pardon of ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. Hernández was sentenced in July 2024 to 45 years in prison after being convicted of collaborating for more than a decade with drug traffickers seeking to move cocaine into the United States, according to The Associated Press.

Smith pointed to a campaign of U.S. strikes against alleged 'narco-terrorists' that began in September and, according to reporting, has killed more than 80 people. The strikes have generated controversy, with some lawmakers and observers saying they could amount to war crimes and noting they have not been authorized by Congress.

'So is this about drugs, or is this about regime change?' Smith asked. 'None of it, well, has been authorized by Congress.' He stressed the need for congressional oversight and public debate before any major escalation.

Responding to concerns about unilateral executive action, Senate Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) filed a War Powers resolution designed to prevent the use of U.S. armed forces to engage in hostilities with Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure was co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

President Trump has warned Venezuela he may soon order ground action after a series of strikes on vessels in the Caribbean, has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations in the country, and has increased the U.S. military presence in the region.

Lawmakers and observers remain sharply divided over the motive and legality of the strikes and any further escalation. Many congressional leaders are pushing for clarity, oversight and a formal authorization before the United States moves toward broader hostilities.

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