House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is rejecting the notion that Venezuelans will be better off now that the Trump administration is taking charge.
Mr. Jeffries, New York Democrat, didn’t mince words about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — calling him a “bad guy” — but he also said it’s far from clear that the situation on the ground will improve.
“Donald Trump claims that he’s going to run Venezuela. He’s done a terrible job running the United States of America,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
He said President Trump hasn’t delivered on basic promises at home, like lowering the cost of living or strengthening the health care system. And he questioned why anyone should expect a different outcome abroad.
“So the notion that he’s going to run Venezuela and make life better for the Venezuelan people of course is belied by the facts as to what he’s done as President here in the United States of America,” Mr. Jeffries said.
After Mr. Maduro’s capture, Mr. Trump told reporters that the United States would “run” Venezuela for the time being.
Democrats have also pushed back on Mr. Trump’s decision to green-light the mission that led to Mr. Maduro’s capture, saying the president overstepped his constitutional authority by acting without congressional approval.
“This was a military action, and pursuant to the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war to authorize acts that take place in this regard,” Mr. Jeffries said. “And we have to make sure when we return to Washington, D.C., that legislative action is taken to ensure that no further military steps occur absent explicit congressional approval.”
Mr. Trump has brushed off those concerns, insisting the operation was a law‑enforcement action — not the kind of military engagement that would require Congress to sign off.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat, said the president is simply trying to distract from his troubles at home.
“No one is confused by the timing of this rampage against the American Constitution and international law,” Mr. Raskin said in a statement. “Trump’s presidency is sinking like a stone, our economy is collapsing under the weight of Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs, the Administration’s efforts to suppress the Epstein Files are failing and millions of Americans just lost their health care insurance coverage.”
“Amazingly, the president wants the people to think his unconstitutional war reflects his concern about illegal drug trafficking just one month after he pardoned the drug-dealing ex-president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, commuting his 45-year sentence after one year,” he said.
