At a Glance
- Trump announces arrest and extradition of Venezuelan President Maduro and wife in overnight operation.
- Republicans split: some praise, others criticize legality and motives.
- Congress demands notification and authorizes review of the action.
Why it matters: The raid raises questions about U.S. executive power, congressional oversight, and potential global repercussions.
On Saturday night, President Donald Trump ordered a covert operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, citing drug-trafficking charges. The move, which includes plans for U.S. oversight of Venezuela’s government and oil fields, has ignited a sharp debate among lawmakers and the public about its legality and motives.
Republican Reactions
The Republican caucus is divided. Some praise the raid, while others question its legality and motives.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene: questioned the raid’s motive and accused Trump of seeking oil control.
Marjorie Taylor Greene stated:
> “If it is truly about going after drug traffickers, then why hasn’t the Trump admin taken action against Mexican cartels?”
Marjorie Taylor Greene added:
> “We are forced to pay for it…both parties keep the Washington military machine funded and going.”
- Don Bacon: praised the capture but warned it could embolden other nations.
Don Bacon said:
> “The capture of Maduro is great for Venezuelans, but it may embolden Russia, China, and others to justify their actions.”
- Thomas Massie: argued the strike contradicts legal justifications.
Thomas Massie wrote on X:
> “If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law.”
- Lindsey Graham: praised the press conference and called narco-terrorism over.
Lindsey Graham said:
> “The days of narco-terrorism drug caliphates in your backyard are over.”
- Mike Lee: sought constitutional justification, later saying the action likely falls under Article II.
Mike Lee tweeted:
> “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.”
After a call from Rubio, Lee updated:
> “The move likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”
- Marco Rubio: defended the decision not to notify Congress beforehand.
Marco Rubio said:
> “We called members of Congress immediately after. This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on.”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson: called the operation decisive and promised briefings.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated:
> “Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives.”
- Sen. John Thune: argued the raid was justified under a valid DOJ warrant.
Sen. John Thune said:
> “President Trump’s decisive action to disrupt the unacceptable status quo and apprehend Maduro is an important first step to bring him to justice for the drug crimes for which he has been indicted in the United States.”
Democratic Criticism
Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans call the raid unconstitutional and warn of international fallout.
- Tim Kaine: urged Congress to reassert its constitutional role in war matters.
Tim Kaine said:
> “It is long past time for Congress to reassert its critical constitutional role in matters of war.”
He added:
> “The full Senate will vote next week on a bipartisan resolution to avoid war with Venezuela absent a clear congressional authorization.”
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: demanded notification and criticized the administration.
Hakeem Jeffries said:
> “The administration failed to properly notify Congress in advance of the operation in Venezuela.”
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: confirmed no notification to the top eight leaders.
Chuck Schumer said:
> “The so-called gang of eight were not notified ahead of time regarding the Venezuela attack.”
- Sen. Brian Schatz: warned against endless wars and regime-change missions.
Brian Schatz said:
> “We should have learned by now not to get involved in endless wars and regime change missions that carry catastrophic consequences for Americans.”
- Jeffries: compared the raid to Iraq, stressing that security requires more than force.
Hakeem Jeffries said:
> “The promotion of security and stability in a region requires more than just military force as we painfully discovered in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
- Schumer: warned that Trump running Venezuela could have devastating consequences.
Chuck Schumer said:
> “The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans.”
Congressional Oversight Concerns
Lawmakers demand transparency and debate over the strike’s legality.
- Jeffries: called for proper notification.
Hakeem Jeffries said:
> “The administration failed to properly notify Congress in advance of the operation in Venezuela.”
- Schumer: echoed the lack of notification.
Chuck Schumer said:
> “The so-called gang of eight were not notified ahead of time regarding the Venezuela attack.”
- Bacon: warned that the strike could embolden other countries.
Don Bacon said:
> “My main concern now is that Russia will use this to justify their illegal and barbaric military actions against Ukraine, or China to justify an invasion of Taiwan.”
Executive Justification
Trump and his administration argue the raid was necessary to combat drug trafficking and protect U.S. interests.
- Donald Trump: said Congress leaks would jeopardize the mission.
Donald Trump said:
> “Congress has a tendency to leak. This would not have been good.”
- Rubio: explained why Congress was not notified beforehand.
Marco Rubio said:
> “We called members of Congress immediately after. This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on.”
Key Takeaways
- The raid captured Maduro and his wife and plans for U.S. oversight of Venezuela’s oil fields.
- Republicans are split: some praise the action, others question its legality and motives.
- Democratic lawmakers demand congressional notification and have called the raid unconstitutional.
The operation has ignited a heated debate over executive authority, congressional oversight, and the United States’ future role in Latin America.
