Donald Trump Impeachment Warnings Issued After Maduro Capture

 

President Donald Trump is facing renewed calls for impeachment after his administration conducted military strikes in Venezuela over the weekend, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The U.S. government charged the couple with narco-terrorism, citing their alleged role in funneling deadly drugs into the United States.

Maduro has been formally indicted in the Southern District of New York, continuing a legal case that began in March 2020. In 2025, the U.S. doubled the bounty for information leading to his arrest to $50 million. Maduro has denied all wrongdoing.

While many Republicans have praised Trump’s actions, concerns over legality and congressional oversight have emerged, especially among Democrats. Some members argue the strikes could constitute an impeachable offense, as they were carried out without Congress’s approval.

Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois described Trump’s actions as “illegal, dangerous violations of international and U.S. law that put us all at risk,” urging Congress to act. She emphasized passing the War Powers Resolution, sponsored by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, to reassert congressional authority over military actions.

New York Representative Dan Goldman echoed her sentiment, calling the strikes “an impeachable offense.” California Representative Maxine Waters also reconsidered her earlier skepticism about impeachment, reflecting a growing debate among Democrats over accountability.

Several candidates for the House have voiced strong support for impeachment. California State Senator Scott Wiener, aiming to succeed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, declared Trump must be “impeached immediately” due to his lack of legal authority to invade Venezuela. Illinois candidate Kat Abughazaleh went further, calling for Trump to be impeached, convicted, and removed “as soon as humanly possible.”

Legal experts say the path to impeachment faces major hurdles. Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, explained that while Trump’s actions could technically meet constitutional grounds for impeachment, the Republican-controlled House makes it unlikely. Political polarization makes impeaching a president easier in theory but harder in practice. Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro added that any impeachment effort would require significant Republican support in both chambers, which appears improbable.

Historically, Trump was impeached twice during his first term, but both efforts failed in the Senate. Democrats have been cautious about pursuing impeachment during his second term, weighing political strategy against the need to uphold congressional authority.

Critics like Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland highlight the underlying motives behind Trump’s Venezuela strike, claiming it was focused on securing oil interests for American corporations rather than national security. Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Representative Mike Lawler, have defended Trump, praising the capture of Maduro as a step toward stopping drug trafficking.

No formal articles of impeachment have been filed, and the likelihood of a successful impeachment in 2026 remains low. Kalshi betting odds estimate a 13 percent chance this year, with possibilities increasing toward 2028.

As this debate unfolds, the strikes in Venezuela may become a defining issue for Congress and the upcoming midterm elections, highlighting ongoing tensions over executive power, accountability, and the role of U.S. military interventions abroad.