Hacker News Reader

Comment by tantalor | Hacker News Reader

> "He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody," says Senator Lee

Yes, he has to telegraph that to the world to try to minimize fears that the US _desires_ a prolonged intervention, regardless of what happens, and regardless of what he actually believes.

Statements made by politician need not be taken as truthful.

War powers act.

No more democracy.

What about the war powers act are you talking about? It just limits situations (or purports to) where the president can use the military without a declaration of war. Even if we were suddenly actually attacked (not just Venezuelan forces fighting back) it wouldn't give any path to "no more democracy".

There is a path to no more democracy, and being at war makes that path a lot easier.

I'm not American, my 'war powers act' statement wasn't pointing at specific legislation, it was a hand wave to the past.

It rhymes.

The President can now tell "his" DOJ to indict someone in another country (like its leader), and use that to 'legally' justify an attack on said country to grab the person.

Ironically, the current administration thinks that American courts can hold any president accountable for crimes, except the American president.

Congress hasn't declared war so there's no way we can be at war.

Question is whether the Supreme Court will sell us out or not.

We should find a new name for wars that aren't wars. Maybe a some kind of special operation?

"Special Military Operation" (Специальная Военная Операция) is what the war against Ukraine is called in Russia

Pretty sure that's the joke...

Really? Wow, I never knew that. /s

They did not do this for Ukraine either, which seems quite a bit larger.

[flagged]

> Question is whether the Supreme Court will sell us out or not.

Trump just ended the National Guard deployment in LA, Chicago, and Portland after an overwhelming Supreme Country loss: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/31/donald-trump-nation...

Even this long-delayed (for a shadow docket case) limited ruling (can't send troops for now but left door open for a rehearing after lower court is finished) is an exception for history's most compliant SCotUS (unprecedented 90% favoring admin).

Notably trustworthy individual Marco Rubio

This statement was contradicted by Trump later in the day: "we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so,"

Reply on news.ycombinator.com