Ranking Member Courtney Statement on Venezuela

January 3, 2026 Press Release NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement after President Trump’s remarks on the U.S. capture of Venezuela President Maduro. “President Trump’s claim that today’s unauthorized, unilateral military strike in Venezuela is a ‘law enforcement’ action against indicted drug trafficker Maduro rings hollow after the President just pardoned a convicted drug dealer, the former President of Honduras, who was serving a 45-year sentence in U.S. prison, 34 days ago,” Courtney said. “Maduro is a loathsome dictator – that is not in dispute. However, as General David Petraeus stated, before using military force, answer the question ‘How does this end?’ President Trump’s remarks and his own contradictory actions fail that simple but crucial test. In particular, his declaration that ‘we are going to run the country’ is an alarming open-ended policy of occupation. The constitution screams out for Congress to reassert its role to decide use of military force. Our country’s military servicemembers and citizenry deserve better.” Issues : Defense & National Security