Democrats in Congress are arguing that the large strike in Venezuela that led to Nicolas Maduro's capture was illegal.

"Second unjustified war in my life time. This war is illegal, it’s embarrassing that we went from the world cop to the world bully in less than one year. There is no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela," wrote Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., on X.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., took a similar position on the issue.

"Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela," he wrote on X. "He says we don’t have enough money for healthcare for Americans—but somehow we have unlimited funds for war??"

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., shared the same view as McGovern.

"The White House is confirming U.S. military operations in Venezuela tonight. Let us be clear: these strikes are illegal," she wrote. "The President does not have the authority to declare war or undertake large-scale military operations without Congress. Congress must act to rein him in. Immediately."

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, also opposed the strike that led to Maduro's capture.

"We have no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war. We should have learned not to stumble into another stupid adventure by now. And he’s not even bothering to tell the American public what the hell is going on," he wrote on X.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said that Venezuela didn't pose a threat to the U.S.

"Congress did not authorize this war. Venezuela posed no imminent threat to the United States. This is reckless, elective regime change risking American lives (Iraq 2.0) with no plan for the day after," he wrote. "Wars cost more than trophies."

Republicans defended the strike from Democrat attacks.

"Today's action, ordered by President Trump, is what decisive leadership truly looks like. Our country has faced an unprecedented national security threat from the illegitimate Maduro regime. Unabetted for years, Maduro has sent drugs into our country, killing an untold number of Americans, kidnapped innocent Americans, flooded our country with violent cartel members from Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles, while destabilizing regional security," Mario Díaz-Balart wrote on X.

"The regime has also allied itself with America's enemies, Iran, China, Russia, Cuba, Hezbollah, and Hamas. It is utterly irresponsible behavior to continue; it puts our country’s security in jeopardy. While others dithered, President Trump recognized this threat for what it is and acted with resolve," he added.

Trump rejected the argument that he lacked the authority to conduct the operation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday the operation wasn't the type that allowed the White House to call congressional leaders and let them know it's going to happen ahead of time. He urged members of Congress to remember it was a law enforcement operation at its core.

Jonathan Turley, a law professor, said the operation was legal.

"Trump does not need congressional approval for this type of operation. Presidents, including Democratic presidents, have launched lethal attacks regularly against individuals," Turley wrote. "President Barack Obama killed an American citizen under this 'kill list' policy. If Obama can vaporize an American citizen without even a criminal charge, Trump can capture a foreign citizen with a pending criminal indictment without prior congressional approval."

Former President Obama launched the war in Libya without congressional authorization. The war led to the capture of Libya's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, by National Transitional Council forces. He was later executed. 

The organization Third Way compiled a list of the terrorists that were targeted and killed around the world during the Obama administration.

In 1989, the United States invaded Panama to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega. Former President Biden, a senator at the time, supported the operation. Noriega eventually surrendered in January 1990.

Under former President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. invaded Grenada in 1983, which led to the downfall of its Marxist government.

Democratic elections took place in Grenada following the invasion in 1984.