Trump’s Actions in Caribbean ‘Exactly How Wars Start’

On CNN’s “The Situation Room” Friday, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) said the Trump administration’s military strikes on suspected drug boats and the U.S. Coast Guard’s seizure of an oil tanker in the Caribbean were “exactly how wars start.”

Host Wolf Blitzer said: “What is your position on the Trump administration’s latest moves against Venezuela, especially since there are currently new reports that the United States could potentially end up seizing more Venezuelan oil tankers?

Crow said, “As someone who has served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, our nation’s longest wars that have gone unchecked with very little accountability and very little debate, I am deeply troubled that we are in this cycle again. This is exactly how conflicts escalate, how they spiral out of control. Nobody in Congress knows what’s going on with Venezuela, Democrat, Republican, it doesn’t matter, no one has been given the information.”

Blitzer said: “As you mentioned, Congressman, you are a veteran. You understand war. Do you believe we are heading toward a war with Venezuela, or will this be resolved?”

Crow said, “Well, what I do know is that this is exactly how wars start and escalate, which is why I’m so concerned and why we need to make sure that we stop this. That’s the role of Congress, right? The Founders gave Congress that power because we are the ones who are most accountable to the people.”

He added: “We are not consulted. Donald Trump wants to act as if Congress does not exist and does not matter. I am not prepared to allow him to do that. We need information. We need to understand what is happening. And if he intends to engage Venezuela militarily, I will try to stop him.”