Despite Concerns About Its Legality, Some Democrats Say Party Should 'Celebrate' Maduro's Capture

Throughout the weekend, following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voiced strong reactions, ranging from sharp criticism to full support.

Some Republicans backed the Trump administration's decision to move into Caracas, while others condemned the operation, arguing it was carried out without consulting Congress first.

Among Democrats, figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez publicly criticized the raid, framing it as an effort driven by oil interests and regime change. At the same time, some Democrats reportedly questioned their party's response, suggesting privately that colleagues should be celebrating Maduro's capture rather than denouncing it.

However, according to centrist and swing-district lawmakers who spoke to Axios on the condition of anonymity, failing to support the ousting of Maduro, widely seen as a brutal dictator and labeled as a narco-terrorist by the Trump administration, could prove to be a significant political misstep.

One swing-district House Democrat told the outlet that, in the eyes of many Democrats, "everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," adding that "nuance is dead in politics."

Another House member, speaking over the phone, said the Democratic Party should not condemn the operation and wished his colleagues would take a "more measured" approach.

A third centrist lawmaker described his party's response as "weak," adding, "If you don't acknowledge when there is a win for our country, then you lose all credibility."

As reported by The Associated Press, many Democrats have spent the last few days denouncing Trump's intervention in Venezuela, with the Democratic National Committee quickly mobilizing to raise money in what they called "another unconstitutional war from Trump."

Although the secret operation took place in the early hours of Jan. 3, a report by The New York Times said Democrats on Capitol Hill were still left in the dark about the decision, despite repeated requests for classified briefings.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Trump administration in a statement, saying officials have not been honest with the American public.

"The administration has assured me three separate times that it was not pursuing regime change or taking military action in Venezuela," Schumer said. "Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans. 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."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries drew parallels to past U.S. efforts at regime change that were costly in both taxpayer dollars and American lives.

"The promotion of security and stability in a region requires more than just military force, as we painfully discovered in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

As tensions mount on Capitol Hill, several House Democrats have even suggested impeachment could be warranted. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., told Axios, "We are in 25th Amendment territory now."