Sat Jan 03 16:36:53 UTC 2026: Headline: Trump’s Venezuela Action Sparks Fierce Debate in Congress
Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuela, including the reported capture of President Nicolas Maduro, have ignited a firestorm of controversy in Washington, D.C. Democrats are decrying the move as a violation of international law and an overreach of executive power, while Republicans are largely defending it as a necessary step in combating drug trafficking.
Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Tlaib, Kim, McCollum, Gallego and McGovern, have voiced strong condemnation. Tlaib called the actions “illegal and unprovoked,” while Kim accused administration officials of misleading Congress about the true intent of the US pressure campaign. Concerns are being raised about the lack of Congressional authorization for the use of military force, with McCollum demanding that Trump halt the strikes and urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House.
“Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela,” stated McGovern.
Republicans, on the other hand, are staunchly supporting Trump’s actions. Senator Cotton praised the operation as an “incredible” achievement, citing Maduro’s indictment in the US for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Cotton also issued a warning to the interim government in Venezuela, urging them to sever ties with adversaries and act as a “normal nation.”
Senators Rubio and Scott echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the professionalism of the operation and asserting that it sends a clear message that the US “will not tolerate terrorists.” Scott went further, stating that the world is a safer place now that Maduro has been captured.
Adding to the complexity, Representative Taylor Greene, while previously an ally of Trump, questioned the apparent double standard, noting the lack of similar action against Mexican drug cartels. She also implied a connection between the operation and control over Venezuelan oil supplies, predicting a future conflict in Iran.
Vice President Vance defended the legality of the operation, emphasizing Maduro’s indictments in the US for narcoterrorism. “You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” Vance said.
The deeply divided reactions within Congress highlight the significant political ramifications of Trump’s actions in Venezuela and raise fundamental questions about the limits of presidential power and the role of the US in international affairs. The debate is expected to continue as the situation unfolds and Maduro’s fate remains uncertain.
First Piper 