Democrat and Republican lawmakers react to US strikes on Venezuela and arrest of Maduro
A view of the US Capitol building on June 27, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reacted to the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its leader Nicolás Maduro.
What we know:
Several members of Congress said Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed them after the military operation was carried out.
What they're saying:
Republican reactions to US strikes on Venezuela and capturing Maduro
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., a member of the House Armed Services Committee whose district is home to a significant number of Venezuelan refugees, said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"President Trump has changed the course of history in our hemisphere. Our country & the world are safer for it. Today’s decisive action is this hemisphere’s equivalent to the Fall of the Berlin Wall," Gimenez wrote in a statement on X.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., a member of the Senate's Armed Services panel said he also spoke with Rubio, who confirmed Maduro was in custody "and will face justice for his crimes against our citizens."
"The interim government in Venezuela must now decide whether to continue the drug trafficking and colluding with adversaries like Iran and Cuba or whether to act like a normal nation and return to the civilized world. I urge them to choose wisely," Cotton said in a statement.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, for instance, said he was keen to learn "what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force."
He later said Rubio "informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant."
"This action 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," Lee wrote.
What they're saying:
Democrat reactions to US strikes on Venezuela and capturing Maduro
"Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela. He says we don’t have enough money for healthcare for Americans—but somehow we have unlimited funds for war?" wrote Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
"The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who oppressed Venezuela's people is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule. However, cutting off the head of a snake is fruitless if it just regrows," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., wrote on X.
"Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not a state of endless violence and spiraling disorder. My hope is it offers a passage to true democracy and liberation. This action offers beleaguered Venezuelans a chance to seat their true, democratically elected president, Edmundo González."
She criticized the GOP administration for apparently failing to notify Congress beforehand, however.
"I'll demand answers as to why Congress and the American people were bypassed in this effort. The absence of congressional involvement prior to this action risks the continuation of the illegitimate Venezuelan regime. Congress must be properly informed and hold hearings on this invasion. As always, I will work to bring about the promise of a liberated Venezuela," she wrote.
Wasserman Schultz's home state of Florida is notably home to a significant number of Venezuelan refugees, as well as refugees from other communist Latin American dictatorships like Cuba.
"The Trump administration launched a large-scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without congressional approval and without consideration of any of the consequences their illegal actions may bring," Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., wrote on X. "This act of aggression is unconstitutional, un-American, and a direct threat to our democracy."
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War, echoed a similar line.
"There is no justification for the United States to be at war with Venezuela. I lived through the consequences of an illegal war sold to the American people with lies. We swore we would never repeat those mistakes. Yet here we are again," Gallego said in his own statement.
Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., another military veteran, accused Trump of running afoul of the Constitution.
"Let there be no mistake, President Trump has started a war in Venezuela, without any congressional approval, and in violation of the Constitution. Over the past 2 decades, we have learned the hard way that wars are easy to start and hard to finish," Vindman wrote on X.
"A plan rarely survives first contact. Having served in Iraq, I’ve seen this firsthand. Trump is wrong to start a war in Venezuela. It is not what the American people want, it is not putting America first, and it is not worth American blood and treasure."
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was more blunt in his assessment.
"When I talk to Californians, you know what ranks lowest on their priorities? Illegally going to war with Venezuela. Just lower the damn prices," Swalwell wrote on X.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., wrote, "Trump’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are grave violations of international law and the U.S. Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state."
"While I strongly oppose the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Micuro, President Trump’s military action was a serious constitutional violation," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. "The Trump administration does not have sole authority to commit such acts, and I reaffirm my position that Congress must be fully informed before the U.S. engages in hostilities towards another nation. I urge for an immediate and full briefing for Members of Congress following ongoing developments in Venezuela and the subsequent long-term consequences in the region."
The Source: Information in this article was sourced from FOX News and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.