All posts tagged "nicolas maduro"

Lawmaker fires back at Marco Rubio over Venezuela attacks: 'Finally a public hearing!'

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) was among several lawmakers grilling Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the US attacks on Venezuela.

Kaine called out Rubio and the Trump administration for not seeking congressional approval or consulting lawmakers in the five months since initiating strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, sending troops into the conflict and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

"We started this operation on September 2nd with the attack on Venezuelans and boats in open waters, and now we are nearly five months in. Next week is five months. Finally, a public hearing! Wow! How novel," Kaine said. "Finally, a public hearing in the Senate or House. This is the first public hearing we've had. Two hundred folks who are on secret designated combatant lists have been killed, U.S. troops have been injured, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent, an armada amassed the announcement of a new Monroe Doctrine, which does not land well in the Americas. Democrats have been asking over and over again, can we have a public hearing? Can we share what we know with the American public? Finally, a public hearing. But even that hearing is constrained."

Kaine delivered a sharp critique against Rubio and the Trump administration, expressing his frustration over the attack.

"I'd like to talk about the complete weakness of the legal rationale about the strikes on boats in international waters. But I can't, because the administration has only shared it with members in a classified setting," Kaine said. "I can't tell you why the domestic rationale is hollow and the international rationale is hollow. I can't tell you why the rationale for attacking Venezuela is hollow, because, again, the rationale has been shared with us in a closed setting. I can't share with you the grim details of the murder of shipwrecked survivors in open waters that we all know, because we've seen the videos and we've questioned the US military officials involved about legality, because the administration will not release that publicly. They release the boat strike videos publicly, but they hid the second strike that killed struggling shipwreck survivors, even from Congress, for nearly three months. But I can't really talk to you about it."

Kaine questioned what the administration was hiding and why they were targeting these boats.

"I can't talk to you about the weakness of the targeting criteria being used to attack boats in the Caribbean and Pacific," he added. "I would encourage any colleague, if you have not go to the classified setting and ask for a briefing on each strike and ask this question, 'what was the evidence that there were narcotics on that craft?' You will be very surprised if you ask that question about every strike. And so even in this first public hearing, five months in, there's a lot we can't talk about. If it was such a righteous operation, why is the administration and the majority in the senate so jealously protecting the details about it from being revealed to the American public?"

Kaine also described how his constituents have asked him about the American military actions in Venezuela.

"I have Virginians deployed in this operation. I can't answer their families questions," Kaine said. "Thank God we're having a public hearing five months in. This is supposed to be the greatest deliberative body in the world."

Trump's foreign policy approval plummets to historic low

A new poll shows that President Donald Trump's approval rating on his handling of foreign policy has dipped to its lowest since he returned to the White House, according to reports Friday.

A new Marist poll found that only 37% of adults in the United States approve of how Trump has handled foreign policy, Newsweek reported. The results were gathered from January 12 to 13 and showed that 56% of those polled disapproved of Trump's international actions, while 7% were unsure.

The changes in Trump's international policy approval highlighted how Americans have responded to the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and the military incursion of that country, and Trump's continued threats to seize Greenland — signaling a major challenge for the Trump administration and growing concern among voters. Trump's moves could put the Republican Party in a tough spot ahead of the midterms in November.

"These figures represent Trump’s lowest net approval on foreign policy (-19 points) with the pollsters during his second term, with it dropping from 41 percent in July 2025 and 39 percent in April 2025," according to Newsweek.

Other recent polls, including CNN's new polling results Friday and a recent AP-NORC poll, echoed similar responses among voters.

About six in 10 Americans disapprove of Trump's international policies, according to the AP-NORC poll conducted from January 8 to 11. That survey also found that a majority of Americans — 56% — felt Trump had "gone too far" with his use of military interventions in other countries.

The White House has argued that Trump has a different approach compared to past presidents.

"President Trump was not elected to preserve the status quo—he is a visionary leader who is always generating creative ideas to bolster U.S. national security," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Newsweek.

“Many of this president’s predecessors recognized the strategic logic of acquiring Greenland, but only President Trump has had the courage to pursue this idea seriously," Kelly said.

“As the president said, NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States, and Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region,” she added.

'Just a pathetic little man': Stephen Miller lambasted as columnist refuses to hold back

A columnist Tuesday revealed how White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has influenced the policies under the Trump administration — and why he wants people to fear him.

The Guardian's Arwa Mahdawi described how Miller, "the driving force behind the Trump administration’s most extreme policies," is craving immense power, but "is ultimately still just a man."

Some of President Donald Trump's aides have even reportedly begun referring to Miller as "prime minister." Behind the scenes, he has being credited with orchestrating the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and has hopes to remove birthright citizenship.

Despite these moves and wielding this power, Miller is simply one person, the writer argued.

"While the ghouls hellbent on bringing authoritarianism to America, and misery to their self-declared enemies, may think of themselves as demi-gods, they are, ultimately, just mere mortals," Mahdawi wrote.

Miller, the architect of Trump's anti-immigrant policies, including the family border separations during the first Trump administration, even bonded with his wife Katie, a right-wing podcaster, about their harsh stance. And although his own family escaped persecution in Europe as Jewish refugees, something his uncle has publicly slammed Miller for, Trump's "mastermind" has continued to push for these "aggressive tactics."

And he has one goal in mind, Mahdawi argued.

"What people like Miller want most of all is for us to fear them; that’s why they’re all so obsessed with talking about strength and force and power," Mahdawi wrote. "And, yes, we should all be afraid of Miller’s brutish vision of the world. We should be worried about what Miller is doing.

"But we should also make sure to laugh at him; there is nothing thin-skinned authoritarians hate more than being laughed at. And we should never forget that, amid all the trappings of office, Stephen Miller is ultimately just a pathetic little man. One who really likes mayonnaise."

The final dig is in response to Miller's wife revealing on her podcast that her husband eats mayonnaise by the spoonful.

'Ever since hearing that podcast, I’ve had intermittent intrusive thoughts of Miller standing barefoot in the luminous light of a fridge spooning mayonnaise into his mouth, straight from the jar," Mahdawi wrote.

" ... I think the reason the mayonnaise anecdote has stuck with me is because it’s a reminder that while Miller may be in a position of extraordinary power, he is ultimately still just a man, one who likely has grease stains on his T-shirts."

Senate votes to check Trump's military moves in 'stunning rebuke to White House': report

The Senate has voted 52-47 on Thursday to push forward legislation that would force President Donald Trump to have congressional approval before any further military action in Venezuela.

The move was considered a sharp criticism of the Trump administration and the first major action to push back against the Trump administration following the military capture of President Nicolás Maduro, according to Politico. The measure was backed by several Republicans, including Susan Collins (R-MA), Todd Young (R-IN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

The resolution was cosponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who have attempted to curb the president's maneuvers in the South American country. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) also cast his vote in support of the resolution even after saying he could oppose the move.

The Trump administration has not sought congressional approval for its military actions in Venezuela.

"The vote is a shocking sign of divisions among Republicans on Trump’s plans for the South American country, and an about-face to a November vote on limiting the president that failed. Democrats have promised more tough votes that force Republicans to take a public stance as Trump threatens to seize Greenland and floats military action in Colombia," Politico reported.

'Conspicuously absent': JD Vance reportedly waiting for MAGA reaction to latest Trump move

Vice President JD Vance has been noticeably quiet about the United States attack on Venezuela and capture of its leader Nicolás Maduro, and that could point to something else at play, according to an analyst.

Vance has released only commented once since the "military incursion in Venezuela" and it could have to do with interest in a 2028 presidential run, Salon's Heather Digby Parton wrote in an opinion piece published Thursday.

"The one person who’s been conspicuously absent around the Venezuela mission is JD Vance, and that’s unusual," Digby Parton wrote. "The vice president is usually right at the center of everything, applauding Trump actions like a trained seal. Since this is [Marco] Rubio’s baby, perhaps he gracefully took a backseat. But considering his only statement on the matter, it seems more likely that Vance is keeping his cards close to his vest until he can determine if the MAGA voters he’s courting for a potential 2028 run will continue to support this assault."

Vance has had a staunch approach towards foreign policy, often arguing that the U.S. and President Donald Trump's administration should maintain its focus on domestic issues — not international affairs.

"More than anyone else in the administration, Vance has staked his reputation on the America First philosophy, but he’s very adept at shape-shifting, so he will no doubt position himself wherever he believes it will most benefit him," Digby Parton explained.

Vance has been widely reported to be positioning himself for a potential 2028 presidential run, leveraging his role in the Trump administration and his influence within the MAGA movement to build a political base. Rubio, Trump's Secretary of State and now personal and professional friend of Vance, has also been mentioned as a potential running mate for Vance in 2028.

'Does anybody believe this guy?' Mark Kelly rips Stephen Miller on CNN

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) criticized White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller Tuesday after his comments about Venezuela and Greenland following the attack and capture of ousted president Nicolás Maduro.

Kelly, a veteran and Armed Services Committee member, was responding to questions from CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who wanted to know what Kelly made of Miller's comments Monday night and what potential plans the Trump administration has for the South American country.

"Does anybody believe this guy?" Kelly asked, responding to the comments from Miller, who, nearly 24 hours ago, got in a testy conversation with Tapper after the anchor started asking Miller if Venezuela should hold elections to select a new leader instead of handing the country over to one of Maduro's underlings.

"I mean, he obviously does not. They don't do not have a plan. They need to have a plan," Kelly said.

"Venezuela used to be a democracy, right. And we should be at this point making efforts to help them get back to a democracy, to have a democratically elected government running Venezuela," he added. "We do not want to be in the business of running this other country. And by the way, regime change generally has not worked out well for us. Look at South Vietnam, Cuba, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan. It usually does not go the way that we we hope. And it often puts service members in harm's way."

Republicans in 'knots' as Maduro’s capture could be 'secret' action: analysis

An analyst on Tuesday questioned the mixed messaging among Republicans over President Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela and ousting of Nicolás Maduro.

The Trump administration has called the invasion of Venezuela and capture of Maduro a "law enforcement operation carried out with the support of the U.S. military," and has announced that the U.S. has plans to control the South American country by way of its new vice president, who will be more friendly to oil production and American oil companies, The Bulwark reported.

Yet, that scenario has drawn more questions than answers.

"That’s the administration’s high-level story, at least. But as more context comes out, it gets less clear whether Maduro’s capture was a law enforcement action, a military operation, or some secret third thing," The Bulwark reported.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has framed the actions in Venezuela from the law enforcement standpoint.

"The Department of War plays a very important role here along with the Department of Justice, for example, because they’ve got—they’re the ones that have to go to court," Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press.

“And I assure you the people left behind in Venezuela now that are in charge of the police and everything else, I assure you they’re going to probably be a lot more compliant than Maduro was as a result of this,” Rubio said.

He also suggested that capturing Maduro would "convince the regime to follow America’s lead going forward without requiring an invading and occupying force."

But that's not quite what Trump said. Trump has signaled that the U.S. could escalate attacks in the country — and others.

“We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so,” Trump said. “So we were prepared to do a second wave if we need to do so.”

“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” Trump said.

So far, Republican lawmakers have used the law enforcement action as a means to defend the U.S. decision.

"The Maduro episode has provided yet another occasion for elected Republicans to twist themselves into knots to support the administration’s shifting, contradictory messaging on a high-stakes issue," The Bulwark reported. "If there is a legal case to be made for capturing a foreign leader and installing some kind of advisory board of Americans and oil company executives to preside over the regime’s holdovers, GOP senators did not bother to make that case. Instead, they blithely relinquished more authority to Trump, bending rules and ignoring precedent to avoid any disagreements with the White House."

Republican bristles as MAGA Megyn Kelly rips Trump's new 'quagmire'

A Republican strategist on CNN bristled Tuesday after MAGA podcaster Megyn Kelly ripped President Donald Trump for potentially dragging the country into a new "quagmire."

Brad Todd said that Republicans, including members of the far-right media sphere, have expressed confusion over what comes next following Trump's attack and ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

"You're seeing a lot of what I'm going to somewhat derisively call new right commentators not know which way to go right now," Todd said. "And, you know, on the one hand, this is the most strikingly successful American military operation in any of our memories. And I flash back, comparing this one to what happened with [former President] Joe Biden's exit from Kabul. It's just night and day different."

In August 2021, the U.S. completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war, with the final troops departing from Kabul amid chaotic scenes that included a devastating suicide bombing at the airport that killed 13 American service members and over 100 Afghan civilians. The hasty withdrawal, which occurred after the Taliban rapidly retook control of the country, became a major political liability for Biden, drawing criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats over the lack of coordination, inadequate planning for Afghan allies seeking evacuation, and the overall manner in which the U.S. ended its longest war.

"His numbers never recovered from it. Now, President Trump's goal is to try to make this be the springboard to his numbers recovering in a similar way," Todd said. "I think he's going to do that. He's going to have to enunciate a plan for what success looks like next and how we get out. And to Lulu's point, you know, there are a finite number of people in any country trained to be soldiers. If you don't pay them to be soldiers, someone else will pay them to be soldiers. And so I think it's not a stupid idea to be paying them to be soldiers right now that are not overthrowing the government."

That plan, which is yet unclear, is something the Trump administration will have to figure out.

"He's going to have to enunciate a plan by which we have a new democratic, elected government in Venezuela that will be an ally of ours. And at what point? That means we can extract ourselves," Todd added.

Star rapper wants to 'dance with Maduro' behind bars — and play card games

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine checked into prison Tuesday at the same high-security Brooklyn facility as ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, saying he'd love to have a dance with him.

The American rapper, also known as Daniel Hernandez, told TMZ that he hopes to see Maduro during his three-month stay there after violating the terms of his supervised release.

The rapper told the outlet, "I want to dance with Maduro!" To boot, the artist plans to ask Maduro to play Spades.

The dance he referred to was reportedly the last straw for President Donald Trump after Maduro apparently mocked Trump's moves.

Trump gets 'terse warning' from another country after raid: 'Not mincing his words!'

President Donald Trump just got a "terse warning" on Monday from a South American leader following the military intervention in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump has said that Colombia is run "by a sick man" and has signaled an interest in attacking and invading the country, along with Cuba, Greenland and Mexico. Trump has claimed that Colombia is not doing enough to combat narcotics.

In response, Colombia's president Gustavo Petro didn't hold back.

"Gustavo Petro, really not mincing his words today in a lengthy and quite fiery post on X, essentially warning President Trump off of even contemplating the idea of some kind of U.S. military intervention here in Colombia," said Clarissa Ward, chief international correspondent, told CNN anchor Kasie Hunt.

"He talked about the fact that despite his renouncing of weapons as part of his past, he was a former guerrilla, that he would be willing to pick up arms again to defend his homeland. And he warned President Trump that if there was some kind of U.S. military intervention, that you would see a large and fiery response on the streets throughout Colombia from ordinary people, writing, 'if you arrest a president who a good part of my people want and respect, you will unleash a popular jaguar.' So a very strong and frankly terse warning to President Trump."

Colombia has increased its military presence along the Venezuelan border and has added 30,000 more troops.

"But I would say, Kasie, we've been also talking to people in the presidential office, and CNN has also spoken to the defense minister, Pedro Sanchez, who are really trying to tamp down the rhetoric here, who are saying that the cooperation in terms of law enforcement continues between the U.S. and Colombia," Ward added. "Colombia continues to be the U.S.'s most important strategic ally in terms of its counter-narcotics strategy. For the past four decades, and that cooperation is continuing. We heard a sort of similar tone from Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who pretty much seemed to brush off President Trump's warning that Mexico should, 'get its act together,' saying, 'listen, that's just the way he talks.'"

Whether Trump is serious about further military action or not, Colombia has prepared to heighten its security and vehemently opposes U.S. interference.

"But nonetheless, there is clearly very real concern throughout this region, because what we saw take place over the course of the last few days was very shocking to many," Ward said. "And U.S. meddling and military intervention is anathema to so many countries in this region because of the history of the last few decades. So we also heard there was another post that I thought was interesting from President Petro, where he said, 'Don't just think Latin America is a nest of criminals poisoning your people. Respect us and read your history again.'"