CIA director: 'No assessment' US at war with Venezuela amid use of Alien Enemies Act
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency has “no assessment” that the U.S. is at war with Venezuela, a comment that comes as President Trump has invoked war powers to deport migrants from the country.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) asked Ratcliffe if there was any assessment “that we are currently at war or being invaded by the nation of Venezuela.”
In igniting the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.
The law allows him to deport any citizen of an “enemy nation,” in this case Venezuelans the Trump administration has accused of being linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
Ratcliffe’s comments could be used in ongoing litigation over Trump’s use of the 18th century law, which critics have argued should only be used in times of war. Though little used, the act has never been a basis for targeting gang activity.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard provided fewer details, saying “there are varied assessments that came from different intelligence community elements.”
The Justice Department said last week that it was igniting a leak investigation after the publishing of intelligence related to Tren de Aragua.
The disclosure came shortly after The New York Times published an article saying U.S. intelligence assessments contradicted Trump’s claims that Tren de Aragua was acting at the behest of the Venezuelan government.
“The Justice Department is opening a criminal investigation relating to the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information from the Intelligence Community relating to Tren de Aragua (TDA),” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a Friday statement.
“We will not tolerate politically motivated efforts by the Deep State to undercut President Trump’s agenda by leaking false information onto the pages of their allies at the New York Times," he continued. "The Alien Enemies Proclamation is supported by fact, law, and common sense, which we will establish in court and then expel the TDA terrorists from this country.”