Democratic lawmakers have expressed strong opposition to President Donald Trump's recent military operation in Venezuela, which successfully led to the capture of socialist dictator Nicols Maduro and his wife.
According to Western Journal, congressional Democrats have criticized the President's actions, arguing that he lacked the legal authority to deploy military force against Maduro's regime and that such a move contradicts American interests.
In contrast, Republican lawmakers have largely commended Trump's decisive action, with representatives from South Florida's Venezuelan community hailing it as a "historic day" for both the Venezuelan people and Latin America.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat with potential presidential aspirations, voiced his disapproval on X, stating, "Second unjustified war in my lifetime." He further criticized the operation by saying, "This war is illegal, its embarrassing that we went from the world cop to the world bully in less than one year. There is no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela."
Democratic New Jersey Senator Andy Kim accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth of misleading Congress about the Trump administration's intentions in Venezuela.
"Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasnt about regime change," Kim wrote on X, arguing that the military operation "put Americans at risk in Venezuela and in the region." A U.S. official informed The New York Times that the operation resulted in no casualties.
House Democrats echoed their Senate colleagues' sentiments, condemning Trump's use of force, which they likened to the most direct military intervention in Latin America since President George H.W. Bush's invasion of Panama in 1989.
Connecticut Representative Jim McGovern, a leading Democrat on the House Rules Committee, questioned the administration's priorities, writing on X, "He says we dont have enough money for healthcare for Americansbut somehow we have unlimited funds for war??"
Meanwhile, Florida Republicans celebrated Trump's capture of Maduro, with Republican Florida Representative Carlos Gimenez expressing gratitude on X: "Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for changing the course of history in our hemisphere."
He emphasized the significance of the event for Florida, home to the largest Venezuelan, Cuban, and Nicaraguan exile communities in the nation. Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott also praised the operation, stating, "A new day is here for Venezuela and Latin America. The United States and our hemisphere are safer because of President Trumps leadership. God bless America and God bless the people of Venezuela!"
Republican Utah Senator Mike Lee defended Trump's legal authority to conduct the military operation, suggesting it likely fell within the president's inherent powers under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack. Lee also indicated that, based on his conversation with Rubio, U.S. military action in Venezuela was likely concluded with Maduro's capture.
The Trump administration has consistently portrayed Maduro as an illegitimate leader, accusing him of heading a cartel designated as a terrorist organization responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.
This operation marks a significant moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, with the potential to reshape the political landscape in the region. As the situation unfolds, the debate over the legality and implications of Trump's actions is likely to continue, reflecting broader tensions between differing political ideologies in the United States.
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