Bulwark Takes Trump Rejects All Oversight on Venezuela War. What's Next? (w/ Ryan Goodman)
Nov 2, 2025
In this conversation, Ryan Goodman, a law professor and legal scholar from NYU, dives into the complexities of U.S. military actions in Venezuela. He dissects the War Powers Resolution, highlighting its requirement for congressional authorization and the administration's questionable claims against it. Goodman also examines past congressional interpretations of hostilities, compares recent strikes to Libya's operations, and discusses the potential escalations towards larger military engagements. Lastly, he emphasizes the risks of linking foreign strikes to domestic surveillance and legislative responses on the horizon.
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War Powers 60-Day Deadline Matters
- The War Powers Resolution's 60-day clock requires termination of military operations absent congressional authorization.
- Ryan Goodman warns the Trump administration's arguments against applicability lack solid legal footing and risk major separation-of-powers precedents.
"Hostilities" Argument Is Legally Weak
- The administration argues strikes aren't "hostilities" because U.S. forces face little risk, a narrow reading of the War Powers language.
- Goodman says that interpretation contradicts Congressional history and would produce absurd precedents for over-the-horizon attacks.
Past Precedent Undermines New Theory
- Past administrations and senior Pentagon lawyers rejected the "no risk, no hostilities" theory, calling it preposterous.
- Goodman cites bipartisan congressional pushback during Libya as evidence the theory lacks mainstream support.
