NEW YORK (WABC) — Lawmakers in the Tri-State area are voicing their opinions after the U.S. carried out strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts” on a slew of charges in New York, including “narco-terrorism conspiracy” and “cocaine importation conspiracy” as well as weapons charges.
Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News Maduro was being flown to New York.
Live updates on Venezuela here.
New York lawmakers share reactions
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) criticized the strikes on social media, saying that “the Trump administration launched a large scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without Congressional approval and without consideration of any of the consequences their illegal actions may bring. This act of aggression is unconstitutional, un-American, and a direct threat to our democracy. We cannot stay silent while the rule of law is ignored.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) praised the Trump administration’s actions:
“With the decision to capture Nicholas Maduro, a narco terrorist, responsible for the death of thousands of Americans, President Trump has changed the course of history and made America safer. For years, the deadly flow of drugs into our country, has been allowed unimpeded. In one year, President Trump has done more to stop it by declaring the cartels narco terrorists and striking ships transporting these deadly drugs into the US, culminating in today’s arrest of Maduro for prosecution.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) was critical of the Trump administration’s actions:
“The US Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress. No single individual has the authority to commit the nation to a war of regime change without congressional authorization. Power cannot replace principle. Nor can the ends justify the means. In a constitutional republic, the rule of law must prevail over an act of raw military might. History warns that wars of regime change-even when well-intentioned-can unleash unintended consequences that produce more instability than they prevent.”
New Jersey politicians react to strikes, Maduro capture
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) released a statement:
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress. Trump rejected our Constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict because the Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war.
This strike doesn’t represent strength. It’s not sound foreign policy. It puts Americans at risk in Venezuela and the region, and it sends a horrible and disturbing signal to other powerful leaders across the globe that targeting a head of state is an acceptable policy for the U.S. government. This will further damage our reputation – already hurt by Trump’s policies around the world – and only isolate us in a time when we need our friends and allies more than ever.”
Check back for more updates as other local lawmakers share their thoughts.
ABC News contributed to this report.
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