Some GOP Lawmakers See Trump's Venezuela Military Operations as a Break From 'America First' Policies

The U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro has become a topic for criticism across the country. Some lawmakers argue the move signals a departure from President Donald Trump's long stated "America First" philosophy, raising questions about whether the administration is prioritizing foreign intervention over the needs of the American people.

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Jan. 4, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said the administration's approach runs against the interests of U.S. voters. Greene, a former Trump ally, resigned Jan. 5 midway through her third term in Congress.

"This is the same Washington playbook people are tired of," Greene said. "It doesn't serve Americans. It serves corporations, banks and oil executives."

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania echoed that criticism, saying in a statement that "the only country the United States should be running is the United States."

According to reporting by The Associated Press, the comments highlight growing concerns within Republican ranks as the party enters an election year in which control of Congress is at stake. While frustration has surfaced publicly, the AP noted there is no coordinated effort within the GOP to oppose Trump's foreign policy decisions.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine described Maduro as a narco terrorist but said Congress should have been notified before the operation took place. She added that lawmakers must play a more active role as the situation develops.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a frequent critic of overseas military involvement, stopped short of condemning the operation. Writing on social media, he said "time will tell whether regime change in Venezuela can succeed without significant financial or human costs."

As of now, the Trump administration has offered few details about what comes next for Venezuela. Trump said the United States would "run" Venezuela, a remark that fueled uncertainty about Washington's intentions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed those concerns on Jan. 4, saying there are no plans to occupy the country, adding that Trump retains flexibility in responding to potential threats.

"He has the authority under the Constitution to act against urgent and imminent dangers to the United States," Rubio said.

Rubio also said Trump has no intention of publicly ruling out policy options, describing the current approach as an oil quarantine designed to exert leverage over Venezuela's future.

"We expect changes not only in how the oil sector operates for the benefit of the people," Rubio said, "but also an end to drug trafficking, the removal of armed groups like the FARC and the ELN, and a halt to ties with Hezbollah and Iran in our hemisphere."

Asked about the possibility of elections in Venezuela, Rubio dismissed the idea as unrealistic in the near future.

"Of course we want Venezuela to move toward something very different from what it is today," he said. "That will not happen overnight, but we believe movement in that direction is in the national interest of the United States and the Venezuelan people."