This is outrageous!
President Donald Trump is firing back after a group of Senate Republicans joined Democrats in a vote that critics say weakens the president’s constitutional authority and puts America’s national security at risk.
On Thursday, several Republican senators broke ranks to support a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s ability to authorize future military action without additional approval from Congress. The measure was introduced by Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine and is being promoted as a way to rein in presidential power.
President Trump, however, sees it very differently.
According to the president, the vote represents a direct attack on the authority of the commander in chief and a dangerous precedent at a time when the United States faces serious global threats.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump blasted the Republicans who sided with Democrats, accusing them of attempting to strip the presidency of its ability to defend the nation.
“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
He went on to warn voters that those responsible should not be rewarded at the ballot box, arguing that their actions weaken America’s ability to respond swiftly to international dangers.
“This vote greatly hampers American self-defense and national security,” Trump said, adding that it interferes with the president’s authority under the Constitution.
The vote was especially notable because it came from a Republican-controlled Senate that has largely supported Trump’s agenda on border security, foreign policy, and national defense. For many conservatives, the move felt like an unnecessary concession to Democrats who have long sought to curb Trump’s leadership powers.
One of the senators under intense scrutiny is Susan Collins of Maine, who faces a difficult reelection campaign. Democrats have already lined up a high-profile challenger, making her seat one of the most vulnerable Republican positions in the upcoming election.
Supporters of the resolution argued that while they backed the recent U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, they believe Congress should have a role in approving any additional or long-term military action. They cited classified briefings from administration officials as justification for their vote.
Collins claimed that the situation changed after Maduro’s capture and said she does not support further troop commitments without explicit congressional authorization.
Republican leadership attempted to calm tensions following Trump’s remarks. Senate leaders acknowledged the president’s frustration but stressed the importance of holding Republican seats—particularly in battleground states like Maine.
Some pro-Trump lawmakers also urged caution, arguing that internal party disagreements should not result in handing Senate control to Democrats, which they say would be far worse for conservative priorities.
Still, President Trump made his position unmistakably clear: he rejects Congress’s attempt to limit presidential war powers. He has long argued that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and violates Article II of the Constitution, a position shared by multiple administrations over the years.
Trump signaled that the issue is far from settled, warning that another critical Senate vote is coming soon—one that could further determine whether the presidency retains the authority needed to protect the United States.
