House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) announced a resolution praising President Trump’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, citing past Democratic comments and legislation that framed Maduro as a serious threat to U.S. interests.
Crawford said his resolution “reiterates the overall consensus of Republicans and Democrats” that Maduro posed a danger to U.S. national security and Venezuelan citizens, and that “President Trump’s decisive action should be applauded.” The resolution highlights Democratic bills from recent years that described Maduro’s government as illegitimate and harmful, including language calling out his “usurpation of presidential authorities” and abuses such as wrongful detentions.
Despite that history, many Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the Trump administration’s operation to detain Maduro earlier this month, calling it an unauthorized use of military force without congressional approval. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled the action as what he says was not a law enforcement action, and Rep. Delia Ramirez described the administration’s moves as driven by “warmongers” and framing them as an “illegal, endless war” in social media posts cited by Crawford’s resolution text.
The conflict in Congress over Maduro’s capture reflects deeper divisions over presidential authority and oversight. Republicans argue that Trump executed a precise operation targeting a criminal and narco-terrorist threat, while Democrats maintain that significant military action should involve Congress.
Republicans continue to point to past Democratic statements condemning Maduro’s regime as evidence of bipartisan agreement on the threat he posed, even as political disagreement persists about how the United States should act.
Maduro was brought to the United States after the mission, where he faces federal charges including drug trafficking and ties to designated terrorist organizations, according to reporting on the capture.
