President Donald Trump lashed out at five Republican senators who voted Thursday to advance a War Powers Resolution, accusing them of siding with Democrats to limit his ability to use military force.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He singled out Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young, adding that they “should never be elected to office again.”
Why it matters
Trump’s criticism came after the Senate moved forward with a measure aimed at curbing his authority to launch additional attacks on Venezuela—an unusually public warning from lawmakers as concerns grow over escalating U.S. involvement in the Western Hemisphere.
Democrats were joined by five Republicans in the 52–47 procedural vote, which advanced the resolution and set up a later vote on final passage. Even if it clears the Senate, the measure faces long odds of becoming law because it would still need to pass the House and be signed by Trump. Still, the vote signaled discomfort among some Republicans after U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.
What to know
Supporters of the resolution framed it as a constitutional check on future military action, particularly any move that could involve American troops on the ground.
The vote also followed earlier efforts by Senate Democrats to pass similar measures during the administration’s military strikes on vessels accused of carrying drugs in the Caribbean. In a vote on a related measure in November, Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only GOP senators to join Democrats.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri explained his vote 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.”
Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana said in a statement posted on X that he also backed Trump’s decision to “bring Maduro to justice for his many crimes,” but emphasized that the War Powers vote focused on preventing potential future military action from expanding without congressional approval.
Fallout and political pressure
Brendan Pedersen, a reporter at Punchbowl News, said on X that he asked Collins about Trump’s post. Collins responded that the president was “obviously” unhappy and suggested he may prefer “Governor Mills or somebody else with whom he’s not had a great relationship,” according to Pedersen.
Maine Democratic Governor Janet Mills is among the declared candidates challenging Collins in 2026. Collins has said she intends to run again, and Maine is expected to be a top Democratic target as both parties fight for Senate control.
What people are saying
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.”
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.”
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
For the resolution to become law, it would need to pass the Republican–controlled House and be signed by Trump—two major hurdles that make enactment highly unlikely. House Democrats were expected to introduce a similar resolution Thursday.
