Republican unity remains strong after the Trump administration’s daring Operation Absolute Resolve, which captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the U.S. to face federal charges. Despite speculation that the mission could split the GOP, polling shows the party largely backing the move.
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said of the Republican reaction, “Let me be very clear. There is no rift in the Republican Party. Yes, there are some folks like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, who are quite skeptical of this. They are very much in the minority.” Enten cited Reuters/Ipsos and Washington Post polling showing that 65 percent and 74 percent of Republicans, respectively, supported the operation that toppled Maduro. Only 6 percent of GOP respondents opposed the action in the Reuters/Ipsos results, while the Post found 10 percent in opposition.
Among Trump’s core supporters, endorsement was even stronger. “If you look at 2024 Trump supporters, we’re talking about 80 percent support,” Enten added, emphasizing that “Donald Trump has had an iron grip—an iron grip—on that Republican base.”
The mission, carried out on Jan. 3 with “discreet, precise” strikes and elite forces dropping into Caracas, ended with Maduro and his wife in federal custody at a New York courthouse. Both pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges after their capture.
Republican Unity in support of the operation stands in contrast to broader American opinion, which remains divided. Nationwide polls indicate only about one-third of Americans overall back the U.S. military action, though Republicans make up the bulk of that support.
As the political fallout continues, GOP leaders and the Trump base remain aligned behind the effort, signaling cohesion despite the operation’s high stakes and international controversy.
