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President Donald Trump took to social media Saturday to declare his love for Venezuelans, exactly one week after he authorized an unprecedented attack on the South American nation that state officials say killed at least 100 people, including civilians.

“I love the Venezuelan people, and am already making Venezuela rich and safe again,” Trump proclaimed, writing on his social media platform Truth Social. “Congratulations and thank you to all of those people who are making this possible!!!”

President Donald Trump issued an ominous hint Saturday at what may be his administration’s next foreign intervention following the U.S. attack on Venezuela last week.

“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”

President Donald Trump renewed calls Saturday to imprison former Justice Department attorney Jack Smith, who helped lead investigations into Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents in 2023.

“Deranged Jack Smith should be sitting in prison for all that he has done to disgrace our Country!” Trump raged Saturday, writing on his social media platform Truth Social.

Donald Trump's Christmas night boast about military strikes against ISIS in Nigeria was undermined by a Washington Post report revealing significant operational failures.

On Christmas night, Trump posted on Truth Social: "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing."

Saturday's Post report contradicted the president's characterization. Of 16 Tomahawk missiles launched, four failed to detonate. The unexploded warheads were recovered from random locations, including an onion field and a forest.

The Post noted uncertainty about the cause of the failures: "It is unclear why the four Tomahawks didn't detonate. Experts suggested a few possibilities, including mechanical failures or a decision by commanders to crash them because conditions at the target sites may have changed."

More than three weeks after the strikes, questions persist about the overall effectiveness of the operation.

Nigerian and Western analysts assessed the operation's impact skeptically. "Given the location, it was unlikely that the strikes hit high-level members of the Islamic State, who are most active in the northeast of the country," the report stated.

A U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) official acknowledged the mission's limited effectiveness, admitting the assault was "likely not very effective and did not remove any camps or capabilities."

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ExxonMobil’s CEO told President Donald Trump during a Friday meeting that Venezuela is currently “uninvestible” following the US invasion and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, underscoring fears that American taxpayers will be left footing the bill for the administration’s goal of exploiting the South American nation’s vast petroleum resources.

Trump had hoped to convince executives from around two dozen oil companies to invest in Venezuela after the president claimed US firms pledged to spend at least $100 billion in the country. However, Trump got a reality check during Friday’s White House meeting, as at least one Big Oil CEO balked at committing financial and other resources in an uncertain political, legal, and security environment.

Republicans are increasingly concerned about maintaining Senate control in the upcoming midterm election, expressing frustration that Donald Trump is undermining their efforts.

The party faces challenging circumstances. While poor approval ratings—partly attributable to the president's inability to address cost-of-living concerns—make House losses likely, Republicans have remained confident about retaining the Senate.

That confidence has wavered following Trump's attacks on five Republican senators who voted with Democrats to limit his military authority regarding Venezuela. His criticism of Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has particularly alarmed GOP leadership.

According to The Hill reporter Al Weaver, "While Republicans were miffed at the attack on the handful of members, it's Collins they are most concerned with as she potentially holds the key to them retaining the majority next year."

One anonymous GOP senator expressed frustration: "You probably ought not take on the chair of Appropriations, who's a little bit pissed off about not getting regular order appropriations done. And now you're s——g on her on this sort of stuff?"

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Republicans drew parallels to Trump's 2021 attacks on Georgia GOP candidates, which contributed to Democrats winning both of that state's Senate seats.

Senate leadership has long protected Collins, a Maine centrist and frequent Trump target. Both parties acknowledge she represents the only Republican candidate likely to win her seat in 2024. Without her, the seat would likely be lost permanently, similar to recent Democratic losses in Montana and West Virginia.

One GOP operative acknowledged the political calculus: "These aren't new feelings, right? He was able to understand—call it the World Wrestling Federation aspect of this—and was able to take his foot off the gas because at the end of the day, obviously, she's better than Graham Platner and Janet Mills will be for him."

Republican leadership already worried the 73-year-old Collins might decline to seek re-election. Trump's recent attacks could potentially push her toward that decision.