Saturday’s news that the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and will run the country during a transition is being met with mixed emotions by North Carolina’s elected officials.
U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, a Republican, said in a statement Saturday that President Trump’s decisive action to capture Maduro and bring him to justice is monumental and will save American lives from the drugs brought to our shores.
Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) will be a vice chair for the NRSC. (Screenshot from video posted by Ted Budd on X.)“Maduro was an illegitimate dictator who has long been wanted in the U.S. on charges of narco-terrorism, corruption, & drug trafficking,” Budd shared on the social media platform X.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) said Trump’s military operation was carried out without regard for the U.S. Constitution and without considering the long-term consequences for U.S. security.
“To be clear, Maduro is a despot who stole elections, imprisoned his political opponents, and trampled on the rights and dignity of his people. But the Trump administration cannot unilaterally impose regime change and push the United States to the brink of war. This action endangers our citizens and democracy around the world,” Ross said in a statement.
Ross also criticized the administration for failing to consult with Congress ahead of the military action.
U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC 2) speaks at a protest in Raleigh outside the state Supreme Court building on Jan. 27, 2025 (Photo by Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)“Using military force to remove a foreign head of state unquestionably requires congressional authorization. Trump ignored that requirement, once again thumbing his nose at our Constitution and Congress. At a minimum, Congress must be fully and transparently briefed and then take appropriate action,” Ross said.
Budd said the actions were within the president’s authority, and praised those responsible for Maduro’s capture.
“God bless our Special Operations Forces who carried out this daring mission, the Air Force, all those with our armed forces & intelligence community who provided support,” said Budd, who serves on the Senate Armed Services committee.
During Saturday’s press briefing, Trump said that the United States will run Venezuela during the transition, and he did not rule out the involvement of American troops.
“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, whose district includes Fort Bragg, praised the arrest of Maduro.
“Accountability finally came. Parents in our community can rest easier knowing a major peddler of fentanyl is off the streets. I’m grateful for the heroes who carried out this mission and praying for their safe return home,” said Hudson on social media.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) praised the operation, but also expressed a desire for more information about what comes in the weeks ahead.
“Protecting American families and ending narcotics trafficking are essential to our national security,” said Davis, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “The use of military force demands accountability and transparency, and Congress must be kept fully informed to ensure proper oversight. I expect continued briefings as the situation in Venezuela evolves.”
Protests were planned for downtown Raleigh and other cities on Saturday afternoon.
Mickey Brigham, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, called the military action a war for oil.
“Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil in the world, and the U.S. government is using military aggression to try to steal that wealth,” Brigham said.
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