Democratic leaders sharply criticized President Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela, calling the capture of Nicolás Maduro unconstitutional, reckless and motivated by oil interests rather than U.S. security.
Democrats Slam Trump Over Venezuela Strike
The U.S. carried out airstrikes in Venezuela early Saturday and captured Maduro, who was transported to a New York detention center to face federal charges of drug trafficking and collaborating with gangs designated as terrorist organizations, reported CBS News.
Trump has praised the operation as a victory over a "brutal dictator" and said the U.S. will "run" Venezuela during a transition.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) added that the strike was "clearly illegal under international law" and risks teaching Russia and China that countries can seize other leaders without justification.
On Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on X that Trump "has, once again, shown his contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law," warning that the action sets a dangerous precedent for other nations.
Sanders called for Congress to pass a War Powers Resolution to halt what he called an "illegal military operation."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the operation as "both unlawful and unwise," describing it as motivated by oil and Trump's desire to project strength rather than protect U.S. interests.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warned that the U.S. military action "threatens to drag the U.S. into further conflicts in the region" and distracts from domestic priorities like healthcare, housing, and cost-of-living pressures.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) criticized Trump's Venezuela operation as an unauthorized act of war, saying it aimed to seize oil and advance billionaire interests rather than protect U.S. security.
He called the strike a grave abuse of power, warned it endangered American troops, and urged Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over military action.
Cotton Defended Trump's Venezuela Strike
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) defended Trump's operation in Venezuela, calling Maduro an indicted drug trafficker responsible for American deaths and saying the action will help keep the U.S., including Arkansans, safe from illegal drugs.
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