Members of Congress spar over Trump’s capture of Maduro: ‘Reckless’ or protecting Americans?

3. Tammy Duckworth

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., called Trump’s decision "reckless" and warned it would increase risks to Americans.

Duckworth wrote, “Donald Trump’s reckless and unconstitutional operations in Venezuela — including this morning’s arrest of a foreign leader — are not about enforcing law and order, because if they were, he wouldn’t hide them from Congress.”

She acknowledged that Maduro “was unquestionably a bad actor” but argued that “no President has the authority to unilaterally decide to use force to topple a government.”

Maduro was widely seen by Venezuelan opposition groups and much of the population as an authoritarian figure who held power through fraudulent elections and repression. However, critics of the U.S. strike claim there is no clear legal authority for military intervention.

Western governments, including the U.S., the United Kingdom and the European Union, refused to recognize Maduro’s presidency after the disputed 2018 election and imposed sanctions over human rights abuses and corruption.

The Trump administration has defended the operation under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which permits military action in self-defense following an armed attack, but critics say no such incident has been cited in this case.

Duckworth said the strike lacked justification, a clear end state or a plan to stabilize the region. She added that Trump’s actions “continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe.”