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LetMyPeopleVote

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41. Rubio: Venezuela strikes 'a law enforcement operation,' not 'invasion'

Sun Jan 4, 2026, 08:05 PM

Jan 4

The trump administration is taking that there was no need to notify congress because this was NOT a military operation but a mere arrest or law enforcement operation

Rubio: Venezuela strikes â€˜a law enforcement operation,â€™ not â€˜invasionâ€™
— USpolitics ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ (@uspol.skyfleet.blue) 2026-01-04T21:33:57.887Z

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5672165-rubio-defends-venezuela-arrest/

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the U.S. military activity in Venezuela this weekend did not require congressional approval because it was a law enforcement operation, not a prolonged invasion of a foreign country.

In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week,” Rubio defended the operation against claims that it was illegal.

“It wasn’t necessary because this is not an invasion. We didn’t occupy a country,” Rubio told George Stephanopoulos, when asked why congressional authorization wasn’t necessary.

“This was an arrest operation. This was a law enforcement operation. He was arrested on the ground in Venezuela by FBI agents, read his rights and removed from the country,” Rubio continued.

U.S. forces carried out a stunning operation overnight into Saturday morning to capture and arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and bring them back to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking, terrorism and firearms. Maduro is in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Highlight:

Trump mistake #1 as I see it: Bringing the Maduros onto US soil [View all] Jersey Devil Jan 4 OP

Trump looking for a big payout to give him a pardon. Emile Jan 4 #1

That's called conflict of interest.................. Lovie777 Jan 4 #3

If that happens, a case could be made MLWR Jan 4 #19

Who will actually make the case? relayerbob Jan 4 #39

Ding, ding! Hey Joe Jan 4 #27

Exactly relayerbob Jan 4 #38

Russia and China have other reasons for that EdmondDantes_ Jan 4 #42

Trump has been kidnapping people on US soil for a year now Irish_Dem Jan 4 #2

Not the same Jersey Devil Jan 4 #4

You are talking the law. I am talking reality. Irish_Dem Jan 4 #7

You are right. Many are not being deported but just held in holding facilities. Amaryllis Jan 4 #25

Yes. Kidnapped and held in detention camps. Irish_Dem Jan 4 #31

Trump is "taking his ICE raids global." sop Jan 4 #6

Yes Trump is taking illegal kidnapping and detention on a world tour. :( Irish_Dem Jan 4 #8

Or Maduro can just flatter him and he'll get a pardon. Turbineguy Jan 4 #5

Maduro and his wife only need to start telling the court and Faux Noise... Ol Janx Spirit Jan 4 #12

But, but, but.... Hope22 Jan 4 #9

Legal analysts on the news have said the opposite IronLionZion Jan 4 #10

I hadn't run across that yet. Ms. Toad Jan 4 #18

How long before Donnie claims Greenland is a major fentanyl hub? unblock Jan 4 #32

I agree as to the charges against Maduro - Ms. Toad Jan 4 #36

We played this game before with Noriega, president of Panama. patphil Jan 4 #11

Maduro didn't become president of Venezuela Farmer-Rick Jan 4 #13

I doubt there will be a trial - TBF Jan 4 #14

The only chance for his actions to be legal, Ms. Toad Jan 4 #15

Just one more "stupendously disastrous" stupid thing Trump has inflicted on America. flashman13 Jan 4 #16

Not a mistake but the act that provides the veil of legitimacy hardluck Jan 4 #17

How likely is it that any trial will take place before Jan, 20 2029? ihaveaquestion Jan 4 #20

A competent prosecutor will probably be able to get a conviction VMA131Marine Jan 4 #22

If Maduro is lucky COL Mustard Jan 4 #29

There is a precedent- Manuel Noriega VMA131Marine Jan 4 #21

Noriega was extradited, Maduro was kidnapped Jersey Devil Jan 4 #28

Noriega was captured by US military invasion IronLionZion Jan 4 #40

Guantanamo is a US govt installation. They would still be required to get due process there. ChicagoTeamster Jan 4 #23

Not so for Iraqis and 9/11 actors Jersey Devil Jan 4 #30

Wasn't the same done with Manuel Noriega? Melon Jan 4 #24

Noriega was extradited, not kidnapped Jersey Devil Jan 4 #34

Remember one thing: AverageOldGuy Jan 4 #26

the precedents were set with noriega, weren't they rampartd Jan 4 #33

Most world leaders know Trump is a pathological liar and sociopath and will see this as a show trail, a kangaroo court Doodley Jan 4 #35

Maduro's going to pay him off and move to Dubai relayerbob Jan 4 #37

Rubio: Venezuela strikes 'a law enforcement operation,' not 'invasion' LetMyPeopleVote Jan 4 #41

Were we assisting the Trumpezuelan Police? Jersey Devil Jan 4 #43