President Trump announced U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, saying the United States would oversee a transition and take control of Venezuelan oil. The move follows months of U.S. military buildup in the Southcom region and federal indictments against Maduro and his wife; officials said they were being transported to New York aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Reactions split sharply: Republicans largely praised the action while Democrats called it an "act of war" and demanded congressional briefings and a War Powers vote. Sunday talk shows are lined up with lawmakers and officials expected to debate the operation’s legality and strategic goals.
U.S. Strikes in Venezuela, Maduro Captured — Sunday Shows Split Over Legality and Motives
Sunday shows preview: Trump operation in Venezuela draws praise, condemnation
President Trump announced early Saturday that U.S. forces had carried out strikes in Venezuela and captured the country’s longtime leader, Nicolás Maduro. Later at his Mar-a-Lago resort, the president said the United States would oversee Venezuela until a political transition is arranged and asserted that U.S. forces would take control of the nation’s oil production.
Operation Details
Administration officials framed the move as the culmination of months of pressure on Maduro, whom Washington has accused of heading a drug-trafficking organization and has labeled an “illegitimate leader.” Since August, U.S. forces have increased their presence in the U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) area of responsibility, deploying warships, at least one submarine, F-35 fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones and intelligence aircraft. A U.S. defense official recently told The Hill there are roughly 15,000 American service members stationed in the Southcom region.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been federally indicted on charges that include cocaine importation conspiracy and other counts. Officials said Saturday they were being transported to New York aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
“We’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela who were forced out by this thug are taken care of,” President Trump said Saturday.
Political Reactions and Legal Questions
Reactions were sharply divided. Republican lawmakers largely praised the administration’s action, while Democrats raised constitutional and legal concerns, with some describing the operation as an "act of war."
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told Fox News that congressional leaders were not notified ahead of the operation, arguing that prior notice could have risked leaks. “Congress doesn’t need to be notified every time the executive branch is making an arrest,” he said.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) called the operation an "act of war" and accused the administration of using force to seize Venezuelan oil for private interests. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) jointly requested congressional briefings. Senate Democrats said the chamber will vote next week on a bipartisan War Powers resolution aimed at stopping further U.S. military operations against Venezuela; the resolution is privileged and cannot be blocked by the Senate majority leader.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) criticized the administration’s approach as hypocritical in light of past pardons involving leaders accused of drug trafficking, arguing that relying on drug charges as a rationale raises questions about consistency and motive.
Sunday Talk Show Lineup
Lawmakers and officials were scheduled to appear on Sunday morning political talk shows to debate the operation’s legality and strategic aims. Guests included:
- NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), Scott Tranter (Decision Desk HQ)
- CBS’s Face the Nation: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.)
- NBC’s Meet the Press: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)
- CNN’s State of the Union: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Gov. Andy Beshear (R-Ky.), Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.)
- Fox News’s Fox News Sunday: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
- ABC’s This Week: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio)
- Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures: Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.)
Other Issues to Watch
The administration has also turned attention to a large fraud investigation in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people in connection with the probe; authorities told The Hill that 85 of those charged are of Somali ancestry. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.)—who has urged deportation for Somalis tied to the alleged fraud—was scheduled to discuss the case on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures.
The coming days are likely to see sustained debate over the operation’s legality, strategic objectives and potential consequences, with close congressional oversight and high-profile media scrutiny.
Updated at 9:02 p.m. EST
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