Congress Briefed on Venezuela Strike as Lawmakers Clash Over Next Steps

Congressional leadership was briefed late last night on the president’s authorized military strike in Venezuela, marking the first closed-door update for top lawmakers since the operation took place over the weekend.

Members of the House and Senate known as the Gang of Eight, along with ranking members of the intelligence committees from both chambers, attended the classified briefing. The strike, carried out Saturday, led to the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power and has since sparked intense debate on Capitol Hill.

Following the briefing, lawmakers offered sharply different reactions. Some Democrats said the session raised more questions than it answered, particularly about the long-term plan for Venezuela. One lawmaker described the administration’s vision for US involvement as vague and rooted in wishful thinking, expressing concern over the lack of clarity on governance and stability moving forward.

Republicans largely defended the operation, saying the president acted within his legal authority. Supporters emphasized that the mission resulted in no American casualties and credited US intelligence and military precision for its success.

Meanwhile, developments continue to unfold in Venezuela. Interim president Delcy Rodríguez has publicly offered to collaborate with the Trump administration, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic relations. At the same time, the Venezuelan government has ordered police to arrest anyone accused of supporting the US-led action that removed Maduro from power, raising new concerns about internal repression and instability.

As Congress weighs its next steps, lawmakers are expected to continue pressing the administration for clearer answers on US involvement, the future of Venezuela’s leadership, and the broader regional implications of the strike.

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