U.S. officials themselves admit the Cuban government poses no imminent threat, but a lack of pretext or strategy hasn’t stopped Trump from launching a catastrophic war before, and we’re seeing disturbing signs it’s happening again.

Trump’s Department of Justice secured an indictment against former Cuban president Raúl Castro, in a move experts and advocates alike worry is a precursor to military intervention. It comes on top of Rubio’s coercive appeal to the Cuban people to “align” with Trump, and as the Pentagon reportedly games out scenarios ranging from airstrikes to a full-scale ground invasion. Combined with new sanctions and an oil blockade, these escalations point to an administration increasingly close to attacking Cuba.

We know how this goes: Unilateral, unauthorized U.S. wars upend and end lives, waste taxpayer dollars, and leave only violence and instability in their wake. But another war is not inevitable.

Congress’ power to declare war exists precisely to check a lawless administration like Trump’s from dangerous unilateral action and executive overreach. Every moment of silence from lawmakers on this threat sends the message that Trump can continue acting without restraint. If we want Congress to act and block Trump from further violence and chaos, we can’t stay silent either.