Senator Chris Van Hollen @ChrisVanHollen

Trump and his cronies can try to dress this up, but it is an illegal act of war to replace Maduro and grab Venezuela's oil for his billionaire buddies.

Full statement below:

CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

Van Hollen Statement on Trump Strikes in Venezuela

"The American people did not ask for this act of war to bring about regime change in Venezuela - nor did Congress authorize it. President Trump has put our troops in harm's way, and he has not provided a clear, fact-based rationale for these actions, nor the long-term strategy following these strikes. This Administration owes the American people and the Congress immediate answers. This act of war is a grave abuse of power by the President. The Trump Administration is repeating the worst mistakes of our past and endangering American lives - and their motive for doing so is a farce. Trump seized Maduro and his wife just weeks after he pardoned former Honduran President - and notorious convicted drug kingpin - Juan Orlando Hernández. Maduro is a dictator, but his regime did not pose the immediate threat necessary to warrant U.S. military action on foreign soil without Congressional approval. This is not about demolishing a dictatorship, as we've seen Trump cozy up to dictators around the world. This is about trying to grab Venezuela's oil for Trump's billionaire buddies. Congress must not abdicate its constitutional authority and allow control of the world's most powerful military to fall into just one set of hands."

10:52 AM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/2007480271960981764

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo

@Claudiashein

Translated from Spanish

The great teaching of Benito Juárez in these moments must also guide the United States: among individuals as among Nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.

3:52 PM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/Claudiashein/status/2007555759358587292

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo

@Claudiashein

Translated from Spanish

Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations states verbatim:

“The Members of the Organization, in their international relations, shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

The position of the government of Mexico:

https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/mexico-condena-intervencion-militar-en-venezuela?state=published

7:12 AM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/Claudiashein/status/2007424768845185274

Scott Jennings

@ScottJenningsKY

Hunter Biden rn realizing his Dad could’ve just taken over all the cocaine

King Of The Hill Bobby GIF

3:27 PM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/ScottJenningsKY/status/2007549522973733178

OG Capitalist Shrugged

@CapitalShrugged

Anticipating that Monday morning street protests outside #SDNY Manhattan federal courthouse at 500 Pearl St. (assuming that's when #Maduro will be arraigned there) will be . . . interesting.

Of course, this will be organic. You know, like arsenic is organic!

1:25 PM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/CapitalShrugged/status/2007518729010381141

Alex

@_alex_joshua

Some SDNY judge on Monday reading who the defendant is for the drug case they got

2:24 PM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/_alex_joshua/status/2007533601118670951

>>24068634

Plane holding Venezuelan President Maduro arrives | WATCH

KABB FOX San Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j5ew4dyo1g

Tim Rice @timerice1

Former Jill Biden spox takes @brhodes to task for criticizing Venezuela strike, reminds him of all the people the Obama bros droned.

Quote

Michael LaRosa @MichaelLaRosaDC

Gimme a break.

How many innocent civilians did Obama kill with drone attacks in Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and Syria?

When Democrats controlled House and Senate in 1989, no one argued Bush didn't have the authority to capture Noriega (under similar pretenses used to capture Maduro) and send him to Miami.

Let's not forget Obama's surge of forces in Afghanistan after campaigning on ending "dumb wars" and attacking Hillary for lacking the "judgement" to be President bc she voted for the Iraq War Authorization. Meanwhile Obama tapped a VP and two Secretary of States who supported the same resolutions.

The Obama crowd should sit this one out, especially when it comes to "breaking" campaign promises. But let the weak and woke progressive pearl clutching begin!

Quote

Ben Rhodes @brhodes

A regime change war in Latin America based on absurd rationales about drug trafficking, no explanation of goals, and counter to everything Trump promised campaigning. And we’re not even a full year into Trump’s term.

8:07 AM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/timerice1/status/2007466274930966651

ZitoSalena @ZitoSalena

January 3, 1776

In General George Washington’s Orders for the day he announces the newly amended Articles of War now take effect.

The articles of war require every officer to subscribe to them and they are read to their troops.

"It was with no small degree of Surprise, that the General Yesterday saw, after the repeated Orders, that had been given for having the Tents (so soon as the Barracks were fit to be enter’d) returned to the Qr Mr General, several of them standing uninhabited, and in a disgraceful, ruinous Situation, and moreover, hears, that others serve only for bedding—The Officers who have suffered this Neglect, are informed, that this is the last admon[i]tion, that will be given on this head."

Washington demands an exact return of weapons and stores at Cambridge and Roxbury and sharply rebukes officers for failing to return ruined tents.

"Whilst we have men therefore who in every respect are superior to mercenary Troops, that are fighting for two pence or three pence a day: Why cannot we in appearance also be superior to them, when we fight for Life, Liberty, Property and our Country?"

Reenlistment continues to be a problem because Congress drags its feet paying the troops.

#America250

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0008

7:05 AM · Jan 3, 2026

https://x.com/ZitoSalena/status/2006577339614871604

4:58 PM EST

Venezuelan Pres. Nicolas Maduro Arrives in New York

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives in New York after being captured by U.S. forces and indicted with narco-terrorism charges.

https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/venezuelan-pres-nicolas-maduro-arrives-in-new-york/671148

5:12 PM EST

NYC Mayor Mamdani on Maduro Indictment and Disagreement with Trump

Newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani briefed reporters after the news that the U.S. had attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. He commented on reports that the couple will be transported to New York for trial.

https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/nyc-mayor-mamdani-on-maduro-indictment-and-disagreement-with-trump/671143

3:09 PM EST

Leader Schumer Holds Press Call on U.S. Strike in Venezuela

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) voiced his outrage over President Trump's order to strike Venezuela and capture its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife. He said he had "not been briefed" on the situation but had some contact with the administration. He claimed the administration promised it was not pursuing regime change when he last spoke to White House officials on Venezuela.

https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/leader-schumer-holds-press-call-on-us-strike-in-venezuela/671144

https://x.com/skscartoon/status/2007518498285858926

https://rofcbybroc.com/2025/12/30/obliterating/

https://rofcbybroc.com/2026/01/03/whoosh/

America's Mayor Live (Special Report): Maduro, Wife Arrested by U.S. in Military Strike on Venezuela

Rudy W. Giuliani

@RudyGiuliani

Started 44 minutes ago

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1BdGYZQrleMJX

>>24069245