The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.
At a Sunday press conference, President Donald Trump said the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and was already doing so.
Statements issued Saturday from members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation are collected here:
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US Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison
“After months of carrying out illegal strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, 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.”
US Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville
“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.”
US Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison
“President Trump has repeatedly been told he must consult with and get authorization from Congress to go to war, per U.S. law. While we are only seeing early public accounts of what happened, it is clear he acted without doing that.”
US Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien
“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. This administration has made it clear that America will no longer tolerate narco-terrorists who profit from the deaths of our citizens.”
US Rep Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee
“Beginning with deadly and unjustified boat attacks, the President has now recklessly escalated to military action, endangering American lives without any legitimate national security rationale.
“Trump’s justification for this aggression continues to be lacking. If he was truly concerned about drug trafficking, he wouldn’t have pardoned a drug trafficker who helped bring thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States. The other rationale he has offered relates to private property rights, which is even more troubling.
“And I am deeply troubled by the President again skirting Congress, this time to invade and now attempt to run a country, at the expense of our brave service members and apparently, the taxpayer.
“The Speaker needs to call us back to Washington now. Congress is a co-equal branch of government and cannot be a bystander as America again tries regime change and another nation building misadventure.
“Republicans in Congress must join us in checking this President and reasserting our constitutional authority.”
US Rep Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau
“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.
“President Trump’s decisive action sends a clear message to the world. The United States will defend itself against foreign regimes that profit from drug trafficking and the actions of dangerous cartels targeting our nation. No individual, no matter how powerful, is above the law when Americans have been harmed by narco-terrorism.
“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.”
US Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst
“Nicolás 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.”
US Rep. Tony Wied, R-Green Bay
“President Trump successfully extradited an indicted dictator and accused narcoterrorist without a single American casualty. A decisive operation that made clear: If you traffic deadly drugs into our country, there will be consequences. Nicolás Maduro will now face justice for his crimes.”
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