Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams sharply criticized Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders after they condemned President Trump’s operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro. Adams accused Democrats of hypocrisy and political posturing, arguing that the arrest targeted a dangerous narco-dictator responsible for drug trafficking that has harmed American communities.
Adams responded after Harris and progressive Democrats labeled the operation unlawful and reckless. He rejected those claims, noting that Democratic administrations previously placed a multimillion-dollar bounty on Maduro for narcoterrorism and drug charges. Adams said it was inconsistent to now denounce action taken against a figure Democrats themselves had long identified as a serious threat.
The former mayor emphasized the human cost of cartel activity linked to Maduro’s regime, pointing to fentanyl deaths in U.S. cities, including New York. Adams argued that removing key figures tied to international drug networks directly serves public safety and law enforcement objectives. He framed the arrest as a long-overdue step toward accountability rather than an escalation of conflict.
Left-wing Democrats reacted sharply. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the arrest an “act of war” and accused President Trump of abusing executive authority. Mamdani reportedly contacted the White House to protest the operation, echoing broader progressive claims that congressional approval was required.
Adams dismissed those objections, arguing that Democrats were more concerned with opposing President Trump than addressing criminal threats. He warned that defending or minimizing Maduro’s role undermines efforts to combat drug trafficking and weakens U.S. credibility on national security.
The dispute highlights growing divisions within the Democratic Party over foreign policy, law enforcement, and how aggressively the United States should confront hostile regimes tied to organized crime. Adams’ comments place him at odds with party leadership but align with arguments long raised by conservatives regarding border security, drug enforcement, and accountability for authoritarian leaders.
