Trump officials’ military threats divide Senate GOP

Most Senate Republicans want to see Maduró ousted, and they have no affection toward Tehran. But should the military threats turn into reality, Trump is likely to face a divided GOP caucus over whether he needs authorization from Congress.

“The president doesn’t have the authority to do it without our permission,” said libertarian-leaning Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a frequent golf partner of the president, when asked about a possible military intervention in Venezuela. “There has to be a vote in Congress or it will be illegal and unconstitutional.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is also close to Trump and is the polar opposite of Paul on foreign policy said, “I don’t care about voting on the use of force.”