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

At least one House Democrat is praising President Donald Trump’s capture of Nicolás Maduro following surprise U.S. attacks in Venezuela on Saturday night.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., wrote in

“Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not an endless state of violence and spiraling disorder. My hope is that this offers a transition to true democracy and freedom. This action offers beleaguered Venezuelans a chance to sit down with their true democratically elected president, Edmundo González.”

But he criticized the GOP administration for not notifying Congress in advance.

“I will demand answers as to why Congress and the American people have been bypassed in this effort. The lack of Congressional involvement prior to this action risks perpetuating the illegitimate Venezuelan regime. Congress must be properly briefed and hold hearings on this invasion. As always, I will work to realize the promise of a liberated Venezuela,” he wrote.

Wasserman Schultz’s native Florida is home to a significant number of Venezuelan refugees, as well as refugees from other communist Latin American dictatorships such as Cuba.

But his reaction to the US operation is very different from most of his colleagues on the left.

Congressional Democrats largely blame Trump for greenlighting illegal actions in Venezuela after the United States carried out multiple strikes and captured Maduro and his wife.

While some responses were more muted than others, a majority of Democratic lawmakers argued that the Trump administration was undermining US law with the operation.

Rep. Yvette Clarke, DY, wrote of “This act of aggression is unconstitutional, un-American, and a direct threat to our democracy.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War. also echoed a similar line.

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Democrats like Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Eric Swalwell accuse President Donald Trump of waging an illegal war with Venezuela. (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images; Joe Raedle via Getty Images; John Lamparski via Getty Images)

In his own statement, Gallego said, “There is no reason for the United States to be at war with Venezuela. I experienced the consequences of an illegal war that was sold with lies to the American people. We swore we would never repeat these mistakes again. But here we are again.”

Another military veteran, Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., accused Trump of violating the Constitution.

“Make no mistake, President Trump started a war in Venezuela without any congressional approval and in violation of the Constitution. Over the past 20 years, we have learned the hard way that wars are easy to start and hard to end,” Vindman wrote to X.

“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, it is not putting America first, and it is not worth American blood and treasure.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., 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 to X.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., wrote: “Trump’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are gross violations of international law and the U.S. Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state.”

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

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses his supporters at a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas on December 10, 2025. (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“While I strongly oppose the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, President Trump’s military action was a serious constitutional violation,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. “The Trump administration does not have sole authority to take such actions, and I reaffirm my view that Congress should be fully briefed before the United States engages in hostilities against another country. I call for an immediate and full briefing to members of Congress following the ongoing developments in Venezuela and the ensuing long-term consequences for the region.”

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This comes after Trump announced on Truth Social that the US had “successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader.”

He said Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country.

Attorney General Pam Bondi later said both were charged in the Southern District of New York, one of the largest federal prosecutors’ offices in the United States.