Officials across the city and state reacted Saturday to the Trump administration’s overnight capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an operation that included a flurry of strikes on the city of Caracas. It followed months of escalating Trump administration pressure on the oil-rich South American nation.
The American military action, which plucked a nation’s sitting leader from office, echoed the U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the surrender and seizure of its leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1990 — exactly 36 years ago Saturday.
“This morning I was briefed on the developments in Venezuela with Nicolás Maduro, following President Trump’s flagrant abuse of power by acting without congressional approval. New York is home to a vibrant Venezuelan community, and I stand with families here and abroad in their hopes for a better, more stable future.
While there are no credible threats to New York at this time, State Police are coordinating with our partners in law enforcement to monitor the situation and keep New Yorkers safe.”
“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.”
“Nicolás Maduro is a criminal and authoritarian dictator who has oppressed the people of Venezuela for years. He is not the legitimate head of government. Undoubtedly, the rule of law and democracy have broken down in Venezuela and the people of that country deserve better.
Donald Trump has the constitutional responsibility to follow the law and protect democratic norms in the United States. That is what putting America First requires.
The Trump administration has not sought congressional authorization for the use of military force and has failed to properly notify Congress in advance of the operation in Venezuela. The promotion of security and stability in a region requires more than just military force as we painfully discovered in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month. It’s about oil and regime change. And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from Epstein + skyrocketing healthcare costs.”
“With the decision to capture Nicholas Maduro, a narco terrorist, responsible for the death of thousands of Americans, President Trump has changed the course of history and made America safer. For years, the deadly flow of drugs into our country, has been allowed unimpeded.
In one year, President Trump has done more to stop it by declaring the cartels narco terrorists and striking ships transporting these deadly drugs into the US, culminating in today’s arrest of Maduro for prosecution.”
“The Trump administration launched a large scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without Congressional approval and without consideration of any of the consequences their illegal actions may bring.
This act of aggression is unconstitutional, un-American, and a direct threat to our democracy. We cannot stay silent while the rule of law is ignored.”
While I strongly oppose the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, President Trump’s military action was a serious constitutional violation. The U.S. Constitution explicitly grants Congress the authority to declare war and approval to conduct military action against a sovereign nation.
The Trump Administration does not have sole authority to commit such acts, and I reaffirm my position that Congress must be fully informed before the U.S. engages in hostilities towards another nation. I urge for an immediate and full briefing for Members of Congress following ongoing developments in Venezuela and the subsequent long-term consequences in the region.”
“Nicolás Maduro has been captured by U.S. forces and brought to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
This bold and decisive action by the Trump Administration is a major victory for American security and justice. Maduro, the illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, empowered violent gangs and drug cartels, causing the deaths of countless Americans, and aligned with hostile regimes in Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba, threatening our national security and the stability of the Western Hemisphere.”
“Trump’s unilateral operation last night was an illegal act of war without Congress’s authorization. Maduro is a brutal dictator who has oppressed the Venezuelan people, but our constitution does not yield for bad people.
If Congress is to survive as an institution, the Republican majority must join us exercising our power to hold this administration accountable for this flagrant violation of the constitution.”
“The US Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress. No single individual has the authority to commit the nation to a war of regime change without congressional authorization. Power cannot replace principle. Nor can the ends justify the means.
In a constitutional republic, the rule of law must prevail over an act of raw military might. History warns that wars of regime change—even when well-intentioned—can unleash unintended consequences that produce more instability than they prevent.”