By: Dr. Avi Verma

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has emerged as one of the most outspoken voices in Congress challenging the Trump administration’s domestic and foreign policy actions, introducing new legislation, pressing for accountability in immigration enforcement, and warning against what he describes as a dangerous retreat from American leadership at home and abroad.

At the center of Krishnamoorthi’s latest legislative push is the No Occupation of Venezuela (NOVA) Act of 2026, introduced alongside Congressman Joaquin Castro. The bill seeks to block the use of any federal funds—military or civilian—to occupy, administer, or assert U.S. control over Venezuela, including taxpayer-backed reimbursement or subsidies for oil companies operating there.

The legislation comes in response to President Donald Trump’s public statements suggesting the United States could “run” Venezuela and take control of its oil resources. Krishnamoorthi warned that such actions would amount to an unauthorized occupation funded by American taxpayers.

“At a time when families are stretching every dollar for groceries, housing, and health care, American taxpayers should not be forced to bankroll an overseas occupation or subsidize Big Oil’s return to Venezuela at Donald Trump’s direction,” Krishnamoorthi said. “No president gets to spend Americans’ money on foreign occupations or oil deals without Congress—and without the consent of the American people.”

Castro echoed the concern, stating that Americans want affordable healthcare, not billions spent on “running” Venezuela or enriching oil companies and political allies.

Beyond Venezuela, Krishnamoorthi sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from dozens of international institutions tied to global security and public health. As Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party, he warned that abandoning these institutions cedes influence to authoritarian competitors, particularly China.

“Walking away from the table does not protect U.S. sovereignty,” he said. “It weakens our security, our economy, and our global standing while leaving allies questioning America’s reliability.”

On domestic enforcement issues, Krishnamoorthi has taken a leading role in demanding accountability following the fatal ICE shooting of a woman during an immigration operation in Minneapolis. During a House oversight hearing, he supported efforts to subpoena the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for sworn testimony and release of records related to the incident.

“This footage is deeply disturbing,” Krishnamoorthi said, describing video that shows agents boxing in a civilian vehicle on a residential street before shots were fired. “A woman is dead. Her family now carries a permanent loss. When federal agents use deadly force, the burden of justification is extraordinarily high.”

Although the subpoena motion was rejected, Krishnamoorthi vowed to continue pressing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to testify under oath. “If she has nothing to hide, she should have nothing to fear from testifying,” he said.

Krishnamoorthi has also raised serious concerns about Operation Midway Blitz, a DHS enforcement action conducted in Illinois. In a letter to Secretary Noem, he cited data showing that only about 15 percent of the roughly 4,500 people detained had prior criminal convictions, contradicting DHS claims that the operation focused on dangerous criminals. He highlighted the death of Nenko Gantchev, who died in DHS custody after voluntarily appearing for an immigration interview.

“Immigration enforcement should focus on real public safety risks, not families, workers, or bystanders caught in a dragnet,” Krishnamoorthi wrote, calling for transparency and a suspension of similar operations until accountability is assured.

On the domestic policy front, Krishnamoorthi strongly condemned reports that the Trump administration may impose a blanket freeze on child care and family assistance funding affecting Illinois and several other states. Drawing from personal experience, he warned that such a move would harm working families already facing an affordability crisis.

“These programs help parents stay in the workforce and keep families afloat,” he said. “Playing politics with children’s well-being is unacceptable.”

Healthcare has also been a major focus. At a recent event at Bronzeville Community Health Center in Chicago, Krishnamoorthi joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, healthcare providers, and patients to highlight the impact of the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. More than 550,000 Illinois residents rely on ACA marketplace coverage, with premiums projected to rise sharply following the credit lapse.

“People who did everything right are now being priced out of care overnight,” Krishnamoorthi said, warning that the cuts will strain safety-net providers and destabilize community health systems.

Taken together, Krishnamoorthi’s actions reflect a broader effort to assert congressional authority, protect civil liberties, defend social safety nets, and reassert U.S. leadership through accountability rather than unilateral power. As debates over immigration enforcement, foreign intervention, healthcare access, and global influence intensify, the Illinois congressman is positioning himself as a central figure pushing back against what he describes as executive overreach and misplaced priorities.