Numerous House Democrats Praise Trump's Capture of Maduro: 'Venezuelans Deserve the Promise of Democracy'

[totodeinhere]

Source: Mediaite

Several Democratic politicians celebrated the Trump Administration’s capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, saying it has paved the way for democracy in the socialist country.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) was one of a handful of Florida Democrats who said it was great to see Maduro go.

“The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela… is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule,” she wrote on X. “However, cutting off the head of a snake is fruitless if it just regrows.”

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/numerous-house-democrats-praise-trumps-capture-of-maduro-venezuelans-deserve-the-promise-of-democracy/

---

I disagree with those House Democrats. Have we learned no lessons from the debacles in Iraq and Iran? How many billions is this adventure going to cost the American taxpayers?

[spooky3]

1. I agree with you. And what gives us the right to do this, even if the end is as desirable

as Wasserman Schultz seems to believe it will be? What's to stop some other nation from violently overthrowing our government?

[PatSeg]

15. I keep getting flashbacks

to the invasion of Iraq and we all know how that turned out.

This is absolute madness and I can't believe that a single Democrat in Congress would support what he has done. They deserve to be primaried, assuming we still have a Congress in November.

[BurnDoubt]

40. What?

Putin has already done it.
Remember the "Secret Meeting"?
Vladdy whipped it out and the "Mushroom" went "dimple".
HE has the Epstein Files.
Never doubt it.

[Wiz Imp]

91. Huh?

“However, cutting off the head of a snake is fruitless if it just regrows.” doresn't sound like she's supportive of the action to me.

[True Dough]

102. "What's to stop some other nation from violently overthrowing our government?"

I believe the answer is the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

[kimbutgar]

2. I would never vote for any representative that is ok with this kidnapping and fake war charges

Shame on any Democrat that is ok with this!

This is a distraction from Epstein and jack Smiths testimony release, The timing is highly suspicious. Was Maduro threatening the US?

[choie]

41. She is pandering to Venezuelans in Florioda

as she's done with Cubans in Florida. Very in character.

[mikewv]

4. Maduro needed to go

I have no issue with Maduro being taken out. I do have issue that Trump is still our President. In the end he will go away.

[choie]

42. He may have needed to have been overthrown

but not by us. Jesus Christ, I can't believe what some people post here. Or don't we care about our contitution OR international law anymore?

[fujiyamasan]

50. Whoever the US installs is just as illegitimate

Ultimately it was the up to the Venezuelan people to decide their country’s fate.

[stevegc]

109. You should have lots of issues with this.

Americans need to understand — whether Democrats or Republicans — the concept of respecting the self-determination and sovereignty of other nations.

There is nothing okay about bombing a country, invading, overthrowing the government, and kidnapping the president. That should be crystal clear.

[mikewv]

110. Welcome to the board!

Americans need to understand — whether Democrats or Republicans — the concept of respecting the self-determination and sovereignty of other nations.

Maduro ignored and suppressed this after the election in 2024, which he lost by %70 of the vote. He refused to leave office and was widely condemned and his presidency not recognized. In a free republic the only sovereign is the people.

There is nothing okay about bombing a country, invading, overthrowing the government, and kidnapping the president. That should be crystal clear.

I totally agree.

I simply stated that I am glad Maduro is out. I certainly didn't agree with what Trump did.

[pcdb]

111. What self-determination?

Over 70% of Venezuelans voted for Maduro's opponent. Maduro ignored the results, declared victory, and locked up anyone who disagreed.

Any unarmed and starving populace wasn't going to overthrow the government.

[mikewv]

112. Concur

Couldn't agree more.

[underpants]

5. House members are constantly in reelection campaigns.

They know their district and sticking their heads out is never a good idea unless it’s a rock solid district

[BootinUp]

11. Yes, this is reps playing politics to their own constituents. Its unavoidable. nt

[sop]

6. "Have we learned no lessons from the debacles in Iraq and Iran?"

America has never learned any lessons from previous debacles involving regime change.

[OldBaldy1701E]

60. With all due respect, I feel like this is the more truthful statement.

America has never learned any lessons from previous debacles involving regime change..

(At least, not any that apply to being benevolent and progressive. We just won't do that.)

[bluestarone]

7. This ought to help our supreme court.

[chowder66]

8. Here are the full statements from each of those cited in the article.

Wasserman-Schultz
“The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who oppressed Venezuela's people is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule. However, cutting off the head of a snake is fruitless if it just regrows. Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not a state of endless violence and spiraling disorder. My hope is it offers a passage to true democracy and liberation. This action offers beleaguered Venezuelans a chance to seat their true, democratically elected president, Edmundo González. I’ll demand answers as to why Congress and the American people were bypassed in this effort. The absence of congressional involvement prior to this action risks the continuation of the illegitimate Venezuelan regime.”
https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3446

Soto
Capturing the murderous Dictator Maduro is a major step towards a #VenezuelaLibre. Now there must be concerted efforts to ensure the democratically elected Edmundo Gonzalez is seated as the rightful new president.

Trump’s failure to seek Congressional approval for these strikes raises serious questions about the legality of the mission. The Administration made multiple false promises that it would not invade Venezuela without Congressional consent.

Congress must now conduct extensive hearings on the attack and all efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Link to tweet

Moskowitz
For years, Maduro has brutally oppressed the people of Venezuela, committed human rights violations, imprisoned political opponents, and stolen elections. His actions have caused millions of Venezuelans to flee and have left millions more to suffer hunger, violence, and a lack of basic goods. No one should miss him.

However, any actions we take to end the illegitimate rule of Maduro must be in line with our Constitution. After being told by the administration that the correct congressional leaders would be briefed, there is no evidence that this took place.

I thank the men and women of our military for their courage and professionalism, and I urge that the next steps be guided by de-escalation, protection of innocent lives, regional stability, and respect for constitutional and international norms.

Link to tweet

[travelingthrulife]

67. Trump has done these same things to his own citizens as well.

When do we get our regime change you nitwits?

I can't believe they fall for this every single time.

[Cha]

97. Who are you calling "nitwits"?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

98. Hm. I wonder.

[lapucelle]

79. So the rage bait headline doesn't accurately reflect what Democrats actually said.

Good to know.

[LisaM]

92. Of course it doesn't.

It's annoying.

[betsuni]

84. Thank you very much for actual information.

[Cha]

96. Mahlo for Posting the FULL STATEMENTS of Our DEMS,

Chowder!

All that "Raging" at Dems was for Nothing.

[BootinUp]

9. Call it what it is: A slippery slope. Then justify it. nt

[Traildogbob]

10. Zero dollars

The oil will pay for it. Like Iraq. Not a dime of tax dollars. Trump promised he and his billionaire Oil folks are paying it all. Just like Rumsfeld promised. When has a Gobber lied to us? Fuck these Dems, it was an illegal invasion. Are they cool with illegal, I guess so. There was a more legal way to attack, with Congress. And regime change is still questionable. And we know damn well they all would have voted yes.
Are we gonna see footage of attack copters with Haquesbreath and Miller standing on the landing rails with automatic 5O cal guns shooting at Civilians or do they only zine the battles against fishing boats?

[totodeinhere]

21. The oil money will go to the oil companies.

It will not go to the American people.

[Traildogbob]

22. You are wrong

Trump says checks are coming from tariff trillions and now oil will follow. We are gonna be rich. Screw expensive Groceries, we can all shop at Whole Foods now. Has he ever lied to us? The Iraq war was free. The Oil paid for that. Rumsfeld said so. 😉.

[Easterncedar]

12. We aren't the world's policeman, he said

Removing Maduro was never our job, or our right.

And all those Venezuelans in Florida who are happy about this? Are they all legal? What about the Venezuelans we have thrown into CECOT in El Salvador? Did they start caring about them yet?

[SamKnause]

13. How about some fucking democracy in the United States !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AZProgressive]

14. I know Maduro was a dictator who was pocketing the oil money for himself

but there are dictators all over the world and some of them are US allies including Saudi Arabia and Israel has a major war criminal as head of state. There are also a lot of far right autocratic governments springing up all over the world especially in Europe and here in the United States.

As far as Latin America only the extreme right wing government of Argentina supports this. Even the right wing governments there don't support this.

This only benefits the multinational oil & gas companies. This is why the Bezos Post praised the operation. Time will tell if it benefits the people of Venezuela but with Trump in charge I don't really see him doing this for their benefit.

[SamKnause]

16. If the U.S. takes over Venezuela it will be 10 times worse than it is now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The U.S. has a shitty record on spreading democracy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The president and the administration that has the power in the U.S. does not believe in democracy.

The U.S. has been taken over by fascists and Christian Nationalists.

[BurnDoubt]

39. Or BE retired.

[choie]

43. AMEN!

[BidenRocks]

19. Dump every Dem who empowers chump.

Every approval tells him to push further.

We can find better.

[BurnDoubt]

38. Yep!!! Yep!!! Yep!!!!

And... YEP!!!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

105. The Fascist-in-Chief should be impeached for this, not praised!!

[yliza]

20. This article was written by Sean James, don't trust it

Never trust Sean James or Isaac Schorr on Mediate, they are Magaphiles who spin everything to make the orange pustule look good and/or dems look bad. When I look at other sources I see things like “Maduro sucked, but wtf?” (I’m paraphrasing lol), which sends a very different message.

[hadEnuf]

23. Do they actually think Trump is going bring democracy to Venezuela?

What the fuck is wrong with some of these Democrats? Give this fascist asshole Trump NOTHING.

[travelingthrulife]

65. They are so breathtakingly stupid.

[LilElf70]

75. I never was

a DWS fan.

[Xipe Totec]

24. Democracy at the point of a bayonet is no democracy. nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. I sure as hell hope the new Dem majority in 2027 has spines and the courage to call out crimes.

When you’re to the right of Rand Paul, you’re on the wrong side.

[FarPoint]

26. Thus, such kind of Representative tell me to NEVER

donate monies ever to the DCCC......always 1:1 to candidate which I Support...


Shame on them if this is true.

[yaesu]

27. Britain and Canada came out agreeing to the regime change

most already cut ties with Venezuela since the 2018 election fiasco.

[William Seger]

28. One, that's not why he did it, and two, that's not the right way to do anything. (nt)

[moniss]

29. This is bullshit it is not up to us to go around the world blasting into other

countries any time we wish because we are unhappy with their government's behavior on democracy.

[travelingthrulife]

68. They don't care about the regime. Hell, Trump wishes he could execute half of us.

It is all about stealing resources.

[paleotn]

30. Lots of guys out there who've done what Maduro has and more....

OK, Debbie, who's next?

[orangecrush]

31. We are so fucked.

[LisaL]

32. Democracy?

What's that?

[AllyCat]

33. DWS who ended Sanders' campaign for POTUS in '16

I’m so over the old guard.

[BidenRocks]

44. Wasn't she involved with Al Franken resigning.

She got all tight ass over a staged photo.

[AllyCat]

46. I thought that was Gillebrand but who knows what DWS

had her paws in.

[fujiyamasan]

55. Not sure what DWS had to do with Franken

That was an internal senate matter.

[BidenRocks]

56. It was the official pile on.

Because of Weinstein, there was no humor left for bawdiness.

I thought she was getting press over Al.

[lapucelle]

82. Who is Weinstein?

[mahina]

87. Harvey

[lapucelle]

85. Who is this mysterious Weinstein who decreed that there was "no humor left for bawdiness"?

[mahina]

88. Harvey

[lapucelle]

89. How does that tie in to DSW? N/T

[LudwigPastorius]

34. This is Trump we're talking about. It's just a concept of a promise of democracy.

In reality, what Venezuelans will get will be a corrupt, Trump-approved puppet who will aid the oil companies in extracting and exporting the country's natural resources.

[ColoringFool]

35. Not To Cast Aspersions On Elected Democrats, But The Name "Charlie Brown" Does....

Come to mind.

🏈🦵

[BurnDoubt]

36. Fuck NO!!!!!!

This Is Wrong.
It WILL be worse for the people.
We broke it and we bought it.
WE NEVER LEARN.
Everything he touches turns to shit.
And somehow, he still makes bank.
NOT what the POTUS job is for.
DO NOT GIVE HIM PROPS.
Almost all the charges against Maduro apply to The Felon.

[ColoringFool]

37. Simon Bolivar Is Spinning Mightily Tonight. Not Because....

He would have supported Maduro (he wouldn't have) , but because of the US intervention ONCE AGAIN in Latin American countries.

[angrychair]

45. Our country is garbage

That everyone isn't universally condemning this is absolutely abhorrent. This is not good foreign policy or any kind of policy. It's a "might makes right" policy that is only as good long as no one uses it on you.

[róisín_dubh]

47. Numerous House Democrats

Are as brain dead as Trump and his supporters, and would do well to read about the history of the region before opening their fat gobs.

[Marie Marie]

48. I miss the good old days when our rare involvement in regime change was done

quietly and covertly, usually through the CIA. We did our dirty deeds in secret (at least they remained secret for a while) while still managing to mostly adhere to principles and morals as a nation. We were the White Hat Guys. Now, every evil deed that Trump does is sitting upon a mountain of past sins and shouted and boasted about the very minute he can waddle over to the nearest microphone.

No, we were never perfect as a nation but we were good and mostly set a good example of freedom and democracy to the rest of the world.

[LearnedHand]

51. WTAF????

And they fuckong wonder why their ratings at in the toilet?

[RandySF]

52. Venezuelan expats hate Maduro.

This is not a hill to die on.

[fujiyamasan]

54. Yep it all comes back to "all politics is local"

I’m not thrilled about anything she’s saying. Frankly it’s all pandering nonsense.

But there’s no way in hell she’d come out condemning this given the demographics of her district and state (especially if she’s making a play for higher office in Florida at some point).

Not excusing her or other democrats supporting this. We went through this twenty three years ago. I was hoping we’d have learned our lesson.

[OldBaldy1701E]

61. The US? Learn something??

[Aussie105]

53. Imagine if you will . . .

A foreign country flies in unannounced, lands at Mar-a-Lardo and captures Dear Leader, then put him on trial back in their own country.

How would the majority of the American people react?

The mildest comment would be:
"You can't do that!"

America has no right to be judge, jury and executioner when it comes to foreign countries.
No country has that right.

American exceptionalism or just thuggery and bullying?

Hopefully this backfires on Trump and anyone who thinks this was a good idea.

If Trump decides to send in the troops, there will be resistance and American blood on foreign soil.

[Indyfan53]

57. Primary them!

Any “democrat” who praises this illegal move should be ousted from the party.

[C Moon]

58. Plus, everything that trump is involved in becomes a disaster.

[Mawspam2]

59. The stupids in charge.

Because we remember how the last WAR FOR OIL worked out.

BUSH/CHENEY 2003: Saddam Hussein definitely had Weapons of Mass Destruction (Nuclear, Chemical, Biological) that he might use at some time and he had to be stopped! (Clue: UNSCOM reported that Iraq had essentially been disarmed since 1998. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice cooked up and distorted intelligence so they/we could invade Iraq)

3/20/2003: US and allies invade Iraq blowing up all the oil fields.

5/1/2003: Bush puts on pilot flight suit and lands on USS Abraham Lincoln to claim the Iraq war is over. (Except it isn't)

12/18/2011: The US military finally leaves Iraq never having found any Weapons of Mass destruction.

Total cost of this folly:

4508 US military men and women killed. Brought home in caskets, buried by grieving mothers, fathers, wives, and children.
32,292 US military wounded.
47,541 US military permanently disabled.

$1.8 Trillion USDollars spent to date, with another $1 Trillion USDollars expected to be spent on Veteran Care over the next 25 years.

Who got rich? Defense contractors.

Halliburton (Dick Cheney was it's former CEO and remained a major shareholder as Vice-President) made over $140 Billion in no-bid contracts.

Blackwater, a private security company founded by Eric Prince made over $1.2 Billion in no-bid contracts. It's employees committed war crimes in executing unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2007. Those four convicted war criminals were later pardoned by - Donald Trump.

Lockheed-Martin made over $1.6 Billion in sales of planes, missiles and support, raising profits 41% in 2003.

Bechtel made over $2 Billion to repair the infrastructure shit we blew up by invading in the first place.

Let us also remember that over $9 Billion in USDollars vanished into thin air as we flew plane loads of freshly minted $100 Dollar bills to Iraq to pay off the local warlords.

Now, Donald Trump and his cast of clowns, Hegseth, Rubio, Miller, Vance, who are already war-criminals, are just going to invade Venezuela and occupy it at no cost in dollars or lives because.....

[Hotler]

63. Boo-boo-boo ......... nt

[travelingthrulife]

64. All of these people need to go.

You are justifying murder.

[tonekat]

69. Pfft...Democrats will probably get outlawed this year

And Schumer will just roll over.

[muriel_volestrangler]

70. 23 out 24 Dem senators (plus Buttigieg) said the way Trump did it was wrong

Here is Pete Buttigieg: “It’s an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president – failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home – decides to launch a war for regime change abroad. The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.”

I’ve looked to see what Democratic senators are saying on X/Twitter. One Democratic senator has supported the attack – John Fetterman, who is far away from being an establishment liberal.
...
Senator Chuck Schumer: “Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. But launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.” And: “The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen this before and paid the devastating price.”

Senator Mark Warner: “Our Constitution places the gravest decisions about the use of military force in the hands of Congress for a reason. Using military force to enact regime change demands the closest scrutiny, precisely because the consequences do not end with the initial strike. If the United States asserts the right to use military force to invade and capture foreign leaders it accuses of criminal conduct, what prevents China from claiming the same authority over Taiwan’s leadership? What stops Vladimir Putin from asserting similar justification to abduct Ukraine’s president? Once this line is crossed, the rules that restrain global chaos begin to collapse, and authoritarian regimes will be the first to exploit it.”
...
https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/01/the-dem-reaction

Read the whole list - some do point out Maduro was bad, but that this is an illegal way to remove him; others just say "this is illegal" or "this is dangerous".

[travelingthrulife]

74. Maduro is bad. Trump is far worse.

When do we get OUR regime change.

[Polybius]

86. Trump is far worse than Maduro?

I dunno about that, but he still has 3 years left in his term.

[muriel_volestrangler]

90. Rapist, conman, bombs other countries ...

They have a liking of Putin in common. Trump tried to fix an election; Maduro probably succeeded.

[Polybius]

100. Maduro definitely succeeded

No probably about it.

[AZProgressive]

99. Way worse

The only thing holding Trump back is the constitution and federal judges but even then that isn't holding him back completely especially with the Supreme Court enabling him and also there isn't much of an opposition to him like there was in the first term which really held him back. In the book A Warning by Anonymous they were resisting his worst impulses and the book was actually a pretty good prediction on what his 2nd term would be like.

Trump is very similar to Bolsanaro who both attempted a coup to install themselves for another term but Trump doesn't want Brazil to prosecute him and wants to go after Maduro instead so Trump is motivated by ideological concerns & private business opportunities with the largest oil reserves.

Another thing is the United States has always had a peaceful transfer of power, an American President should be held to a higher standard as so called leader of the free world but Trump treats the Democrats or the "opposition party" very similar to dictators. Those actions have seen leaders replaced in coups for less than what Trump has done.

[Polybius]

101. I don't think Jair Bolsonaro is worse than Maduro either

He protested the election and said some crazy things about staying because it was stolen, but he gave up fast. What Trump did was far worse in the election aftermath and its climax, January 6th.

As for Maduro, he actually succeeded in stealing an election. Twice. He was my most hated leader in SA.

[Javaman]

71. We are now a train full clowns

And the train has completely derailed, killing many, destroying what was once a good solid train.

And some of the clowns, laying amongst the wreckage, think the ride was worth it

[Clouds Passing]

72. When are those Democrats going to come take out our illegitimate president?? When? Tick tick tick tick.....

[JustKay]

73. Since when have politician cared about democracy?! It's about the oil.

[bucolic_frolic]

76. Venezuela is the next Afghanistan. Military industrial complex must be fed. /nt

[doc03]

77. The story goes from numerous to several to

a handful.

[dlk]

78. Praising the unprovoked attack of a sovereign nation makes us no better then Russia

What are these people thinking? This gives a green light to any other country wanting to do the same and has the very real potential for a descent into world war.

Leaders have lost their minds.

[in2herbs]

80. I now realize why the men in congress won't stand up to F45. F45 is a baby and the men in congress have never raised a

child so naturally they don't know how to respond to F45.

[dugog55]

81. Yeah, because it worked out so well in Iraq.

Don't these people have memories that last more than 2 weeks? That Iraq War was a lie and a fiasco from the get go. It was also about nothing but OIL. Not WMDs, not a tyrannical leader, and not about bringing democracy to a country. How can they all be so thick as to forget an 18 year war that cost thousands of American lives, upwards of a million Iraqi lives, and added trillions to our national debt.

[somsai]

83. I don't know enough about it

but I don't like that oil, sour very very heavy. Hard to refine, lots of pollution.

[ificandream]

93. I suppose I wouldn't be so alarmed at this if it wasn't such a crazy idiot who was behind it.

The fall of Maduro is being used as a tool by Trump basically to take Epstein off the front pages. For that reason, people shouldn't be jumping on board praising Trump because he and his minions (aka Fox) will stoke that praise without discussing the real reason (Epstein) this is all happening. Doesn't anyone really think Trump cares that much about the future of Venezuela? I certainly don't.

[Wiz Imp]

94. More democrat bashing bullshit

I don't see anyone praising Trump. I see some people acknowleging that Maduro was a horrible person who was not legally elected and thus it is a positive he is gone (and probably 90% of the population of Venezuela agrees with this). Being glad Maduro is gone is NOT praising Trump.

[Martin68]

95. The definition of CLICKBAIT. The title says "numerous" Democrats and the article says "some" Democrats.

Later it says "a few" Democrats, and only 3 examples are listed.

[Darnell1972]

103. I Wouldn't Go as far as to praise Trump but...

While I’m not ready to join the Democratic Representatives who praised Trump, it would be a silver lining to a dark cloud if democracy comes to Venezuela. The old regime was authoritarian and thuggish. Good riddance! Now, it’s up to the people of Venezuela to choose self-governance and civil liberties.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

104. WTF?!?!

[Doodley]

106. Did they or did they not say they wanted this before it happened? If not, why are they suddenly saying this is so great?

[Ursus Rex]

107. On the hook for either petro dollars or Venezolano votes or both

I’m not a fan of rich exile communities dictating foreign policy for countries they fled to protect their wealth, and of course big oil is evil.

I’m sure many of these reps are acting out of enlightened altruism and love of democracy, of course.

[Miguelito Loveless]

108. Way to cozy up to a dictator

Primary ALL of them.