“This is more chaos from this guy, and it’s likely unlawful. The Administration has to brief Congress on what the threats were that could justify military action and putting Americans in harm’s way - and what the plan is to ensure that we’re all not dealing with even more chaos in the wake of his war with Venezuela.”
Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio-D, said he was concerned about the prioritization of Venezuela over Americans:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans are struggling to make ends meet, yet Washington continues to make their lives harder while prioritizing foreign countries before our own,” said Sherrod Brown. “Ohioans are facing higher costs across the board and are desperate for leadership that will help deliver relief. We should be more focused on improving the lives of Ohioans— not Caracas.”
U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, said in a statement about demanding transparency:
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
“The American people and Congress deserve transparency, accountability, and clear answers before the United States is drawn into another open-ended conflict.
Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate, authoritarian ruler who has brutalized the Venezuelan people and dismantled democratic institutions. They deserve a genuine path to democracy.
At the same time, the President of the United States is bound by the Constitution and the rule of law. Military action cannot be undertaken without congressional authorization, clearly defined objectives, or a plan for what comes next.
President Trump has offered shifting justifications for aggressive action in Venezuela over time, ranging from counter-narcotics efforts to protecting oil reserves, which makes the nature of this latest escalation deeply concerning.”
U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, said in a post:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“This President is out of control.
He had no authority to invade Venezuela, offered no explanation for why this was necessary, and has given no strategy for what comes next.
Republicans must join us in stopping this President from dragging us into another reckless conflict."
U.S. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio said in a statement:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“History teaches that regime changes imposed from the outside rarely deliver peace, stability, or democracy. America’s role in the world is not to remake nations in our image.
Maduro is a thug and a tyrant, but that doesn’t mean we should risk American blood to attempt to fix Venezuela. The United States is a force for good when we use our power with purpose. But we should be honest about the limits of military force as a tool for political transformation.”
U.S Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, D-Ohio, said in a statement:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“Nicolas Maduro is an authoritarian who has caused real suffering for the Venezuelan people, and they deserve a democratic future, ” said Sykes. “But that does not give President Trump the right to launch military action without Congress, without clear goals, and without explaining to the American people where this is headed.
“Using U.S. military force in a sovereign country with no defined endgame risks pulling us into a long and costly conflict and putting American service members in harm’s way. Comments suggesting the United States will ‘run Venezuela’ only raise more questions about how far this president intends to go and how long he expects Americans to pay the price.
“At a time when families here at home are struggling with rising costs, health care bills, and economic uncertainty, Americans should not be asked to take on the burden of governing another country. Congress must be briefed immediately and must step in before this escalates further and creates consequences we cannot undo.”
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said he supported the attack in a post to X.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“President Trump today changed the course of Latin America for a generation. By acting in America’s self defense and self interest to end the narco terror organization run by Nicolas Maduro, he eliminated an obvious clear and present danger to our nation. Unlike the inept and incompetent Biden administration, who should have acted when Maduro illegally retained power in 2023, President Trump has shown the world that he will defend and protect American lives.
Maduro and his band of narco-terrorists were directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans, threatened our national security, and unleashed a an historic invasion of our country by criminals.
Venezuela served as an air, land and maritime corridor for transporting deadly poison to the US with the goal of killing American citizens.
Maduro protected Colombia’s narco-terrorists. Let them, and anyone in this hemisphere, be on notice that they are next if they aim to harm our nation. To the great and now free people of Venezuela: President Trump seeks peace and America does not wish conflict or war with your nation. It is up to you now to determine your own future and chart a path for prosperity that had seemed so elusive. America stands ready to be a partner and friend.
May God bless America and may God bless President Trump."
U.S Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, said he supported the attack in a post to X.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. He has been indicted on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism and will face trial for these crimes in a U.S. court of law.
Under Hugo Chávez—and now under Maduro—Venezuela has effectively become a criminal enterprise. The United States faced a choice: stand by while this unfolded in our own hemisphere, as American citizens became victims of that enterprise, or take action to end it and give the Venezuelan people a genuine opportunity to choose new leadership and a new direction.
All available information indicates this was a well-executed operation, thanks to the administration and our courageous U.S. military and law enforcement personnel. I will continue to monitor these actions in keeping with my congressional oversight responsibilities. I look forward to hearing more from President Trump today."
U.S Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio-R, said he supported the attack.
Credit: NYT
Credit: NYT
“God Bless our brave military! There’s none better.”
Ohio Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ohio, said he supported the attack.
Credit: Jim Gaines
Credit: Jim Gaines
“Absolutely incredible operation by the Trump Administration. Maduro was a U.S. fugitive. This is Panama, 2025. Well done.”
Ohio Rep. Josh Williams, R-Ohio, said he supported the strikes:
Nicholas Maduro is a criminal whose brutal communist regime has destroyed Venezuela, given our enemies a foothold in the west, and is directly responsible for the deaths of Americans.
A world in which Maduro isn’t fueling narco-terrorism, facilitating the invasion of illegal aliens across our borders, and sending its oil to our adversaries is a safer world for the United States.
President Trump didn’t start a new war. He acted decisively and with precision to protect the interests of our country."
U.S Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, said in a post:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“Nicolas Maduro is a dictator and narco-terrorist who will soon face justice on U.S. soil.
For years, drugs have poured out of Venezuela and into American communities—poisoning our neighbors and tearing apart families.
Today, President Trump took decisive action that others only talked about to defend our nation, hold criminals accountable, and put the safety of the American people first."
U.S. Rep Bob Latta, R-Ohio said in a post:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Last night, the United States military, under President Trump’s direction, took decisive action to protect Americans from indicted narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela has long been a major hub for drug trafficking, with grave consequences that directly impact Americans. Maduro is an illegitimate ruler who stole Venezuela’s presidential election, and his regime has fueled years of illegal drug trafficking into the United States, contributing to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans.
Maduro and his wife have been indicted on narco-terrorism charges and can now be held accountable for their actions. I look forward to receiving further briefings from the administration on this operation and next steps in Venezuela when the House returns to Washington.
God bless America and the United States Armed Forces."
Vice President JD Vance, a former U.S. Senator from Ohio, said in a statement on X:
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States. Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says.
Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.”
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