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The Latest: Trump officials give nearly two-hour briefing to top lawmakers on Venezuela

Trump’s administration captured Maduro, and Trump discussed Venezuela’s leadership, oil infrastructure and possible U.S. involvement in the country.

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Host credibilityThe Northern Virginia DailyNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.

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347 stories · 94.5–95.2 · updated Oct 12, 2026

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The Northern Virginia Dailyvia Associated Press
Jan 6, 2026
tl;dr

Trump administration officials briefed congressional leaders on Venezuela, but lawmakers differed over what the administration plans next. Mike Johnson said he did not expect U.S. troops to be deployed, while Chuck Schumer said the briefing left more questions than answers.

Community verdict

42 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 14

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Votes cast on this page

Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration carried out the Venezuela operation and is considering next steps

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Democratic leader criticizing the briefing and warning about further U.S. involvement

Schumer's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House responding to the Venezuela briefing

Johnson's version of this story ↗
Chuck Grassley
R · IA · SEN

Senator seeking Senate Judiciary Committee access to the Maduro briefing

Mark R. Warner
D · VA · SEN

Senator who shared concerns about the briefing’s lack of clarity

House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member criticizing the briefing’s lack of clarity

Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense who participated in the briefing and described the Venezuela raid

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader discussing the briefing and notification about the operation

Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Senator seeking Senate Judiciary Committee access to the Maduro briefing

House minority leader who called for a briefing after the operation

Brian J. Mast
R · FL-21

House Foreign Affairs Committee chair describing the administration’s plan for Venezuela’s interim leadership

Jeanne Shaheen
D · NH · SEN

Senator who said the briefing left questions unanswered

Mike Waltz
R · United States Ambassador to the United Nations

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations defending the Venezuela operation

Marco Rubio
Secretary of State

Secretary of State who led the briefing for lawmakers

Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Senator criticizing the legality and precedent of the Venezuela operation

ALSO MENTIONED  Nicolás Maduro, Deposed Venezuelan leader appearing in U.S. court after his capture; Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary-general warning about the operation’s legal implications; Christina Markus Lassen, Danish ambassador to the United Nations criticizing threats to Greenland and Venezuela’s sovereignty; Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife and a defendant in the U.S. case; Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico opposing U.S. intervention in Venezuela; Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president after Maduro’s capture; Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Panama’s ambassador to the United Nations commenting on the operation; Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia rejecting Trump’s accusations and warning against U.S. strikes; Jens Frederik Nielsen, Greenlandic leader who joined Frederiksen in opposing Trump’s comments; Kash Patel, FBI director describing the bureau’s continuing mission related to Venezuela; Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom calling for a peaceful transition in Venezuela; Leonor Zalabata, Colombian ambassador to the United Nations criticizing the raid; Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark criticizing the prospect of a U.S. takeover of Greenland; Nicolás Maduro Guerra, Venezuelan congressman and Maduro’s son; Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey commenting on the Venezuela operation; Stephen Miller, Trump adviser commenting on whether María Corina Machado could lead Venezuela; Vasily Nebenzya, Russian ambassador to the United Nations criticizing the U.S. operation; Alvin K. Hellerstein, U.S. district judge presiding over Maduro’s case; Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary discussing the operation’s potential effects on oil markets

Part of a bigger story

13 OUTLETS
Reactions to U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

The U.S. operation in Venezuela captured Nicolás Maduro, with Trump central to the administration’s action. Coverage also addresses what the administration plans next and Congress’s role. Left-leaning outlets emphasize criticism of Trump’s operation and calls for congressional limits, with one article tying the issue to Maine’s Senate race. Center outlets focus on lawmakers’ questions about the administration’s plans and authorization, while presenting both defenses and criticism. Right-leaning outlets differ: one presents the capture as a message to U.S. adversaries, while others focus on intervention’s risks or claims about who influenced Trump toward regime change.

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