Duckworth Rails Against Secretary Rubio for Speaking Out of Both Sides of His Mouth on Venezuela

Duckworth Rails Against Secretary Rubio for Speaking Out of Both Sides of His Mouth on Venezuela

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) railed against Secretary of State Marco Rubio for speaking out of both sides of his mouth on whether the United States is at war with Venezuela. During today's U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) hearing, Duckworth pressed Secretary Rubio on how he can support Donald Trump invoking wartime authorities-like the Alien Enemies Act-while insisting that we are not at war. After Secretary Rubio refused to commit to encouraging Trump to stop using wartime authorities while simultaneously proclaiming our nation isn't at war, the Senator pressed him on Trump's dangerous threats to deploy American troops on the ground in Venezuela. Despite Trump clearly saying he is prepared to-and had-put boots on the ground in Venezuela while Secretary Rubio stood behind him just this month, the Secretary insisted Trump hadn't said it. Duckworth's full remarks can be found on the Senator's YouTube.

"Donald Trump promised he would get us out of wars, not into them-and yet, he and Secretary Rubio are playing it real fast and loose invoking wartime authorities and waging threats to put American boots on the ground in Venezuela," said Duckworth. "It seems to me like this Administration insists on using military force as a first resort instead of a last resort, failing to take seriously the solemn duty to put our servicemembers at risk only for the most serious and imminent national security threats to the American people. The American people do not want another forever war."

Duckworth sharply criticized her Republican colleagues after enough of them chose to trust the least trustworthy President in history, change their vote and vote against a bipartisan War Powers Resolution-which Duckworth cosponsored-that would have prevented the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress.

Duckworth has spoken out against Donald Trump's illegal military operation in Venezuela since day one. Last November, Duckworth went to the Senate floor to excoriate Trump for his actions in Venezuela, further endangering our servicemembers and our country in the process without Congressional approval.

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