Democrats Demand Answers on Trump’s ‘Brazen,’ ‘Reckless’ Capture of Venezuelan Leader

Democratic lawmakers slammed the Trump administration on Saturday for its capture of President Nicolás Maduro, calling it a major overreach of President Donald Trump’s power to act without Congress.

“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos,” Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement.

He added: “The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”

Democrats say that the Trump administration didn’t brief lawmakers ahead of the military action in Venezuela, much less seek authorization. Trump has repeatedly acted without congressional approval on what he says is a war against gangs and drug traffickers, from lethal boat strikes to seizing sea-going vessels. But the capture of a foreign leader is by far his most extreme step — and one that will test whether more lawmakers are willing to check him.

“Nicolás Maduro was a thug and an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, terrorizing and oppressing its people for far too long and forcing many to leave the country.” Sen. Adam Schiff, a top proponent of limiting the president’s war powers. “Starting a war to remove Maduro doesn’t just continue Donald Trump’s trampling of the Constitution, it further erodes America’s standing on the world stage and risks our adversaries mirroring this brazen illegal escalation.”

Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego, who served in the Marine Corps, said there was “no justification” for the military action in Venezuela.

“The American people did not ask for this, Congress did not authorize this, and our service members should not be sent into harm’s way for another unnecessary conflict,” Gallego said on X.

Trump and top officials said they detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, so they can face criminal charges, including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

Democratic lawmakers are expected to launch probes into the matter when Congress returns Monday evening from the holiday recess. They’re also likely to continue to push war powers resolutions, which thus far have failed in both chambers.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who is a leading voice on war powers and has pushed to check Trump’s actions, blasted the Venezuela operation as an “unauthorized military attack.”

“It is long past time for Congress to reassert its critical constitutional role in matters of war, peace, diplomacy and trade.” Kaine said in a statement, noting that his bipartisan resolution to bar any war with Venezuela without explicit authorization is expected to come up for a vote next week.

Democratic Rep. Greg Casar called for the House to vote on a war powers resolution to stop President Donald Trump.

“Trump has no right to take us to war with Venezuela. This is reckless and illegal,” he said in a statement. “Congress should vote immediately on a War Powers Resolution to stop him. My entire life, politicians have been sending other people’s kids to die in reckless regime change wars. Enough. No new wars.”

The offices for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Most Republicans were either publicly supportive or quiet on the capture. Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rep. Don Bacon, a retiring House Republican who serves on the Armed Services Committee, praised the move but said he was worried Russia would see the act and feel justified — a possibility also raised by Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.

“My main concern is now Russia will use this to justify their illegal and barbaric military actions against Ukraine, or China to justify an invasion of Taiwan,” Bacon said in a post on X. “Freedom and rule of law were defended last night, but dictators will try to exploit this to rationalize their selfish objectives.”

He also told NOTUS: “There was little effort by the administration to inform Congress on mission or intentions. I don’t condone that. Are we better off with Maduro gone? Yes. But I don’t defend the lack of coordination with Congress.”

Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson praised the move by Trump in statements this morning, adding that they were briefed by Rubio early Saturday morning.

“The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week,” Johnson said in his statement.

Thune said he looks “forward to receiving further briefings from the administration on this operation as part of its comprehensive counternarcotics strategy when the Senate returns to Washington next week.”