The Trump Administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an astonishing military operation was a weekend blockbuster that ended with no U.S. casualties and left Congress out of the loop to protect the mission’s success, the nation was told.

U.S. troops captured Maduro and his wife from their home on a military base in the overnight operation, putting them on a U.S. warship as they make their way to New York City to face criminal charges. President Donald Trump said the U.S. plans to run Venezuela until a transition of power can take place, though there were no immediate signs that the U.S. was running the country.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a Mar-a-Lago news conference where he said that this “extremely successful operation should serve as warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives.”

“You are going to have peace and justice,” Trump added when speaking to reporters later Saturday.

Massachusetts delegation reacts

The entirely-Democratic Massachusetts federal delegation is already criticizing Trump for ordering the military strikes.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) condemned Nicolas Maduro as a dictator while also criticizing the Trump Administration for “bypassing” Congress in a statement sent to the Herald Saturday.

“Maduro is a dictator whose brutal, antidemocratic rule has brought immense suffering to the Venezuelan people. His repression and corruption are well documented and deserve condemnation. Acknowledging that reality does not justify the Trump administration bypassing Congress, putting our brave service men and women in harm’s way, or spending billions of taxpayer dollars on regime change in South America,” said Trahan.

“No amount of conjecture from the Trump administration excuses ignoring the most pressing challenges facing hardworking families here at home. While this administration diverts immense resources into another foreign conflict, Americans continue to struggle with the skyrocketing cost of health care, groceries, and utilities. That is where our focus should be,” she said.

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) also brought his frustrations to social media, calling the “war” by President Trump unjustified and calling the U.S. President a dictator.

“The Trump administration is lying to Congress and ignoring our constitutionally required approval for military action. This is what dictators do,” said Markey in a post on X. “This war is not just unjustified — it is unauthorized. Trump’s attack on Venezuela puts American lives in danger, destabilizes the region, and risks another endless war. Congress must get answers. The American people must get answers. And Trump must be held to account for this reckless, illegal act of war.”

Congressmen Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), both of whom are retired U.S. Marines, blasted the military action and capture of Maduro in separate social media posts questioning President Trump’s authority and his plans for Venezuela going forward.

“I commanded Marines in Latin America — they deserve a commander in chief operating lawfully and strategically. The president has no authority to strike Venezuela, no strategy for a democratic transition, and no credibility that he won’t just pardon the criminal Maduro like he did the Honduran president,” Auchincloss posted to X. “After voting No in December, Republicans in Congress must now join Democrats to grab hold the steering wheel of Venezuela policy to prevent this capture from spiraling into a blood for oil war.”

“Congress did not authorize this war. Venezuela posed no imminent threat to the United States. This is reckless, elective regime change risking American lives (Iraq 2.0) with no plan for the day after. Wars cost more than trophies,” posted Moulton.

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) is taking the same tune as Markey.

“Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela,” McGovern said. “He says we don’t have enough money for healthcare for Americans—but somehow we have unlimited funds for war??”

Presidents have historically asserted the authority to order limited military operations without prior congressional approval in certain circumstances, including for national security purposes, protecting U.S. citizens abroad or for responding to sudden attacks. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 states that the president should, whenever possible, consult with Congress before introducing U.S. forces into hostilities or situations of imminent conflict. Should the president take such an action, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours.

Regional political criticism

President Trump is also catching flack from members of Congress from the Granite State. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released a lengthy statement on social media, saying the Administration is bringing U.S. commitment to international order into question.

“The people of New Hampshire do not want to be dragged into another foreign war, especially by a President who has failed to articulate a clear strategy or purpose for attacking a sovereign nation and, in so doing, destabilizing much of the Western Hemisphere and calling into question our country’s commitment to a rules-based international order,” Hassan posted to X.

“Nicolas Maduro was a brutal dictator who trafficked drugs across the world and helped America’s adversaries thrive. But I have deep concerns about the President’s unilateral decision to launch a large-scale military operation on foreign soil and with no clear strategy to limit our involvement and prevent us from being dragged into another endless war,” she said.

Democratic New Hampshire Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) also issued criticism of Trump’s actions.

“Nicolás Maduro was a dictator and a thug, and the bravery and skill of America’s troops are truly extraordinary. But President Trump needs to explain how taking large-scale military strikes without congressional authorization will make the American people safer and what the plan is now,” Goodlander posted on X. “The American people deserve answers.”

Positive response

The Trump administration did receive some positive regional feedback on the Venezuela operation. New Hampshire state Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) celebrated the military operation in post to social media, calling for more arrests of communists.

“Let’s keep the momentum going — let’s arrest at least one Communist a day in 2026 going forward. We have the lists, Mr. President,” Sweeney posted to X on Saturday.

The strike followed a months-long Trump administration pressure campaign on the Venezuelan leader, including a major buildup of American forces in the waters off South America and attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean accused of carrying drugs. Last week, the CIA was behind a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels — the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began strikes in September.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

National Guard armored vehicles block an avenue leading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)