(WAND) — Politicians and communities in Illinois are reacting after the United States unexpectedly removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife from the country in a military strike on Saturday.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. plans to run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap into its oil reserves to sell to other countries.
Legal experts immediately started to question whether or not the operation was lawful.
Over 100 people took part in a protest at West Side Park in Champaign Saturday. It was organized by Dylan Blaha in partnership with Party for Socialism and Liberation, Democratic Socialists of America, and CU Muslim Action.
"This isn't about democracy or drugs, it's about oil and regime change," said Blaha. "We need to stop Donald Trump. We need to make sure that this kind of thing doesn't happen again."
Blaha, who is also campaigning to run for congress in Illinois' 13th congressional district, said he was happy to see how many people came out to join the protest.
"It's just really heartwarming to know that people care, because a lot of times we spend so much time online, it's hard to know that other people feel the same way as you, so it's good to see that today," Blaha said.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) called the operations "reckless and unconstitutional."
"The Constitution requires the American people, through their elected representatives in Congress, to authorize any President to engage in acts of war — because they will be the ones to live with the consequences of the decision — and it is unacceptable for this President to deny them that responsibility," Duckworth said.
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) disagreed with President Trump's actions, but also spoke against Maduro and his treatment of the Venezuelan people.
"I disagree with President Trump's use of U.S. military forces without Congressional approval and worry deeply about this administration's follow through on foreign policy interventions," Durbin said. "At the same time, Nicolas Maduro repeatedly denied the will of the Venezuelan people, including when two thirds of them voted for an end to decades of political and economic ruin and criminality in the summer of 2024."
Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Illinois) praised the operation and said Maduro will face "much-needed justice."
"For years, Venezuelan narco-terrorism has poisoned our communities and killed countless Americans. That ends now," Miller said. "I'm grateful for Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, Attorney General Bondi, our world-class military, and law enforcement for taking decisive action to protect American lives."
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) said Maduro is an "illegitimate dictator who has inflicted immense suffering on the Venezuelan people," but that it does not give President Trump a "blank check" to use military force without Congress.
"By acting without Congressional authorization and publicly asserting U.S. control over another sovereign nation, President Trump is abusing presidential power and undermining the Constitution's separation of powers," Krishnamoorthi said. "This use of force and claimed control erode the rule of law, embolden Moscow and Beijing to push boundaries elsewhere, weaken America's credibility, and ultimately make Americans less safe."
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02) called the operation "shortsighted" and said it drags the U.S. into a "reckless conflict." She called for a vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump from ordering more military action without Congressional approval.
"The American people did not ask to be involved in another foreign conflict, but President Trump now wants to 'run the country.' The President needs to stop acting like a dictator and start improving the lives of Americans, including people who actually voted for him," Kelly said. "President Trump's attack on Venezuela does nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans and does everything to enrich himself and his billionaire oil-executive friends."
More Coverage:
US plans to 'run' Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, Trump says, after operation to oust Maduro
How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Capture of Maduro and US claim it will run Venezuela raise new legal questions
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