Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz praises Maduro capture as ‘welcome news’ as progressives erupt

At least one House Democrat praised President Donald Trump’s arrest of Nicolas Maduro after the United States launched surprise strikes in Venezuela on Saturday night.

“The arrest of Venezuela’s brutal and illegitimate ruler, Nicolas Maduro, who has oppressed the people of Venezuela is welcome news to my friends and neighbors who have fled his violent, disastrous, lawless rule,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., wrote on X. “However, cutting off the head of the snake is counterproductive if it grows back.”

“Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not a state of endless violence and escalating chaos. I hope this will provide a pathway to true democracy and liberation. This action offers beleaguered Venezuelans a chance to take on their true, democratically elected president, Edmundo Gonzalez.”

But she criticized the GOP administration for apparently failing to notify Congress in advance.

“I will demand answers as to why Congress and the American people bypassed this effort. The lack of congressional engagement prior to this action threatens the continuation of the illegitimate Venezuelan regime. Congress must be properly informed and hold hearings on this invasion. As always, I will work to fulfill the promise of a liberated Venezuela,” she wrote.

Wasserman Schultz’s home state of Florida is home to a large number of Venezuelan refugees, as well as refugees from other communist dictatorships in Latin America such as Cuba.

However, her reaction to the US operation is very different from the majority of her colleagues on the left.

Congressional Democrats largely accuse Trump of greenlighting illegal actions in Venezuela after the United States carried out several strikes and arrested Maduro and his wife.

While some responses were more muted than others, a majority of Democratic lawmakers argued that the Trump administration undermined US law in the process.

“The Trump administration launched a large-scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without congressional approval and without considering any of the consequences their unlawful actions might bring,” Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., wrote on X. She added: “This act of aggression is unconstitutional, un-American, and constitutes a direct threat to our democracy.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War, echoed the same line.

Live Updates: Trump confirms overnight strikes in Venezuela, says US ‘captured’ Maduro

Democrats, such as Senator Ruben Gallego and Representative Eric Swalwell, accuse President Donald Trump of waging an illegal war with Venezuela. (Andrew Harnick via Getty Images, Joe Raedle via Getty Images, John Lambarski via Getty Images)

“There is no justification for the United States to be at war with Venezuela. I lived through the consequences of an illegal war that was sold to the American people with lies. We swore we would never repeat those mistakes. And yet, here we are again,” Gallego said in his statement.

Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Democrat from Virginia, another former military man, accused Trump of violating the Constitution.

“Make no mistake, President Trump started a war in Venezuela, without any approval from Congress, and in violation of the Constitution,” Vindman wrote on X. “Over the past two decades, we have learned the hard way that wars are easy to start and hard to end.”

“A plan rarely survives first contact. Having served in Iraq, I saw this firsthand. Trump is wrong to start a war in Venezuela. This is not what the American people want, he does not put America first, and it is not worth American blood and treasure.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, was more blunt in his assessment.

“When I talk to Californians, you know what’s lowest on their priorities? Illegally going to war with Venezuela. Just lower the damn prices,” Swalwell wrote on X.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib wrote: “Trump’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are gross violations of international law and the US Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state.”

Other Democrats were more muted in their criticism, focusing instead on demanding more information from the White House.

Venezuela Arrests More Americans as Trump Increases Pressure on Maduro: Report

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addresses his supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th century Battle of Santa Inés in Caracas, December 10, 2025. (Pedro Rances Mattei/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“While I strongly oppose Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate regime, President Trump’s military action was a serious constitutional violation,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. “The Trump Administration does not have the sole authority to commit such actions, and I reiterate my position that Congress must be fully informed before the United States engages in hostile actions toward another nation. I urge immediate and complete briefing of members of Congress following the ongoing developments in Venezuela and the subsequent long-term consequences in the region.”

The top two Democrats in Congress were similarly critical but cautious.

“Many questions remain unanswered, including whether further military operations are planned. First, how many U.S. troops remain on the ground in Venezuela? Second, what will America mean in Venezuela for a wise transition to take place?” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., wrote in a statement.

“Third, were these military strikes aimed at seizing foreign oil for friends of the Trump administration? Fourth, why did Donald Trump pardon the former president of Honduras, a drug trafficker convicted in a US court, but who is willing to take us to war in Venezuela over similar allegations?”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called Maduro an “illegitimate leader” but added that “the idea that Trump now plans to run Venezuela should strike fear into the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen it before and paid a devastating price.”

“To distract from the huge costs Americans face and the historic Epstein cover-up, Donald Trump is trying to throw Americans into more international chaos and uncertainty,” Schumer said.

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This comes after Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela” and its leader.

He added that Maduro and his wife were arrested and flown out of the country.

Prosecutor Pam Bondi later said that both were indicted in the Southern District of New York, one of the largest federal prosecutor’s offices in the United States.