Republican Senator Rand Paul has publicly criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the Trump administration's military pressure campaign against Venezuela. Paul asserts that certain individuals within the administration, including Rubio, are advocating for regime change in Venezuela without proper congressional oversight. He emphasizes that the authority to declare war resides with Congress, not the president, and any move towards regime change should not bypass this legislative body.

In a social media post, Paul linked to an op-ed in the Daily Caller, urging the administration to reconsider its strategy and avoid forcibly removing President Nicolás Maduro, who is characterized as authoritarian. This statement is part of Paul's broader effort to prevent military action against Venezuela, as he plans to refile a War Powers Resolution that would require congressional approval before any military engagement.

Paul's initial attempt to pass this resolution was unsuccessful, but Democratic Senator Tim Kaine expressed optimism about the new effort, noting that circumstances have evolved since the last vote, particularly with increased military assets positioned near Venezuela. Kaine mentioned that previous votes had garnered bipartisan support, with two Republican senators joining Democrats.

Additionally, Kaine referenced a report alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all individuals aboard a vessel suspected of drug trafficking, which led to a second strike against survivors. He indicated that there may be greater support for the refiled motions in light of these developments.

Paul has consistently criticized the administration's military posture, suggesting that it is acting as if the U.S. is 'at war' to justify military actions without congressional consent. He has called for clarity on whether the U.S. is officially at war, urging the administration to either declare war or cease military operations that resemble warfare.