U.S. Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the Trump administration following a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, accusing officials of misleading Congress about their objectives in the oil-rich nation. The raid, conducted without prior congressional notification, has ignited a fierce debate over executive authority and transparency.
Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) stated on social media that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had assured Congress during 2025 briefings that regime change was not a goal. “They blatantly lied to Congress,” Kim asserted. Similar accusations were echoed by Representative Jason Crow (D-CO), who emphasized that officials “repeatedly lied” about U.S. intentions in Venezuela during testimonies.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) raised concerns about the lack of a clear long-term strategy, while Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) warned that unilateral military action against a foreign leader constitutes an act of war requiring congressional approval. House and Senate Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer demanded immediate briefings, with Schumer accusing the White House of withholding critical information from the public.
While Republican leaders like Senator John Thune (R-SD) defended the operation as a necessary step to hold Maduro accountable for alleged drug crimes, global reactions have been largely critical. The incident has intensified scrutiny over U.S. foreign policy decisions and their implications for regional stability.
