WASHINGTON — Emerging from classified briefings Wednesday led by Trump administration officials detailing the raid on Venezuela, Alabama Republicans strongly backed the U.S. military action that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The lawmakers’ support comes after each of the state’s congressional Republicans heaped praise on the administration immediately following Saturday’s attack. In back-to-back meetings with the Senate and House on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials briefed lawmakers on the administration’s plan for handling Venezuela.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who noted Wednesday’s meeting was the most well-attended briefing she’s seen, said senators heard details on how the United States accomplished the operation.
“The execution, precision and just the diligence, both in preparation and obviously in carrying out the mission, was just second to none,” Britt told Alabama Daily News. “And it also confirms that no other fighting force across the planet could have achieved what we did.”
The Associated Press reported Wednesday at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the operation, according to Venezuela’s military. Cuba’s government on Sunday announced that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela had died in the operation, prompting two days of mourning.
Fellow Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, also called the Venezuelan raid a “win for the American people.” Tuberville said he did not foresee the United States sending troops to the South American country.
“I’m not for putting people on the ground. Nobody is,” Tuberville told ADN. “I don’t think that will happen. I think the Venezuelan people are going to take over their country and get back to a democracy, but we need to help.”
On Saturday, Trump said the United States is “not afraid of boots on the ground” in Venezuela.
Rubio told reporters, after he briefed senators, that the United States has a three-phase plan for Venezuela, involving “stabilization,” “recovery,” and “transition.” He added that the quarantine of Venezuela’s oil and a deal to sell 30-50 million barrels is part of America’s plan.
The Trump administration has allowed Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to lead the country now, instead of opposition leader María Corina Machado.
“Bottom line is that there is a process now in place where we have tremendous control and leverage over what those interim authorities are doing and are able to do,” Rubio said, with Hegseth standing beside him.
Senate Democrats said that Wednesday’s classified briefings did not answer all their questions; they want the public to be able to hear about the rationale behind Trump’s plans for Venezuela.
“The public needs answers,” Sen Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, told reporters. “I’m totally dissatisfied about their answers of going into other countries.”
After the House briefing, Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, said Gen. Dan Caine, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, received a standing ovation from lawmakers after he laid out the details of the raid and arrest. The congressman said he thinks Trump officials have a long-term plan in dealing with the aftermath of the attack in Venezuela.
“The current government seems to be cooperating with us, and we have the leverage,” Moore told ADN. “I think we’ve sent a solid message that we’re willing to work with them.”
President Donald Trump and his top advisers have now ramped up their comments about the president’s interest in taking over Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, as a potential next step for Trump’s foreign policy initiative agenda.
On Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that using military force could be an option for acquiring Greenland, but during a press briefing Wednesday, she said Trump’s “first option always has been diplomacy.”
Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, House Armed Services Chairman, succinctly told reporters after the House briefing that the United States is “not going to seize Greenland.”
When asked if he thinks there should be military action used on Greenland, Rogers simply said “no.” Adding that “we’re gonna take care of NATO” because “we’re a strong NATO ally.”
With much of the island located above the Arctic Circle, Trump wants control of Greenland for Arctic security and its untapped critical mineral deposits.
Britt called Denmark a “strong ally” of the United States. She added that the island has a “strategic advantage” based on its location.
“However, any type of opportunity there would have to be with the consent of the people of Denmark and Greenland,” Britt told ADN.
Rubio told reporters he plans to meet with Danish officials about Greenland next week.
Follow Us