WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation issued public statements Saturday following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The statements reflect deep partisan division over the legality and wisdom of the action and were drawn from official X accounts and Facebook posts made available by the members’ offices.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)
“After months of carrying out illegal strikes in the Caribbean, President Trump’s unauthorized military attack on Venezuela to arrest Maduro and take control of a sovereign nation puts American troops in harm’s way with no transparency, justification, or clear path forward.
“I’m committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs and standing up to illegitimate dictators like Maduro, but President Trump has made a unilateral decision to initiate regime change, deploy American troops on the ground, and seemingly take control of Venezuela, all without congressional approval.
“The President does not have the unilateral authority to invade foreign countries, oust their governments, and seize their resources. Under the Constitution, the power to go to war lies with the people’s branch. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to reassert our constitutional role in authorizing military force when needed and holding President Trump accountable before the United States is engaged in another war the American people did not choose.”
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-1st District)
“Nicolás Maduro is a narcoterrorist, indicted on drug trafficking charges. He contributed to the overdose deaths of thousands of Americans each year. He will now face justice for his crimes and the suffering he caused so many American families.”
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-3rd District)
“This operation sends a clear message to America’s adversaries: harming U.S. citizens carries consequences. Nicolás Maduro operated as a narco-terrorist under the false cover of political authority. His criminal network helped fuel the drug trafficking that has killed thousands of Americans. He is now detained and no longer in a position to threaten American lives. President Trump’s decisive leadership made this possible. His administration has made it clear that America will no longer tolerate narco-terrorists who profit from the deaths of our citizens.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-7th District)
“Nicolas Maduro was the leader of a designated terrorist narco-cartel responsible for the deaths of countless Americans, and he will now face justice for his crimes.
” I commend President Trump and the brave U.S. personnel who carried out this efficient and effective operation.”
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied (R-8th District)
“President Trump successfully extradited an indicted dictator and accused narcoterrorist without a single American casualty. A decisive operation that made clear: if you traffic drugs into our country there will be consequences. Nicolas Maduro will now face justice for his crimes.”
U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-5th District)
“Today, the United States captured and indicted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a narco-terrorist whose actions have killed Americans and threatened our national security.
“Maduro did not simply illegitimately rule Venezuela. He led a regime that orchestrated drug trafficking, protected the cartels, and encouraged the flow of illegal drugs and violence into the United States.
“As President Trump confirmed, through this operation, the U.S. government removed Maduro from power. His indictment and transfer to federal court in New York is a crucial step toward justice.
“I commend President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the U.S. military and law enforcement officials who carried out this operation with strength and resolve. Protecting American lives comes first, and today’s action makes that unmistakably clear.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-2nd District)
“Trump continues to ignore the US Constitution and lie to Congress and the American people. Bombing and occupying Venezuela is an illegal act of war against a sovereign nation.
“Only Congress has the ability to declare war, but Speaker Johnson and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate have rolled over and gave up our Article One powers.
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth told Members of Congress their illegal attacks on boats was not about regime change, but capturing a sitting leader is the literal definition of regime change. Trump and his band of misfits seem to have no endgame to this potential quagmire.”
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-4th District)
“Republicans in Congress must join us in checking this President and reassuring our constitutional authority.” “”The Trump administration’s ongoing military actions off the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela risk dragging the United States into yet another conflict without congressional approval or public debate.
“Ordering the United States military to conduct unprovoked, unilateral strikes on alleged ‘drug boats’ off the coast of South America against vessels and individuals without any evidence or due process or any legal basis is horrific. Again, this Administration has provided no evidence that they posed any imminent threat to our national security or military.
“Even more troubling, it appears the Administration plans to continue or to escalate these strikes while refusing to provide the public with any information regarding basic questions about them.
“Let’s be clear: Congress alone holds the power to declare war. No president has the right to circumvent that constitutional authority using semantic arguments about military aggression versus drug smuggling interdiction. If the Trump administration is pursuing unauthorized war, Congress must act to reclaim its powers. I am disappointed that a few weeks ago, Senate Republicans largely blocked a war powers resolution that would have reasserted Congress’s authority regarding these unlawful strikes. And the Speaker of the House won’t even convene this chamber to address this, or any of the other important issues facing our country.
“We cannot allow another war to begin in secret, without accountability, and without the consent of the America’s elected officials, as required by the Constitution.”
What’s Next?
Lawmakers across the country also weighed in on social media about the broader legal and constitutional questions raised by the operation, including concerns about War Powers and congressional authority. National figures outside Wisconsin noted the polarized reaction and the potential long-term implications for U.S. foreign policy and the balance of powers in Washington.
This article will be updated as additional statements from delegation members become available.
