North Carolina Leaders React To Maduro Capture
Over the weekend, American forces, under the direction of President Trump, successfully captured Nicolas Madura, who was indicted by narco-terrorism. For decades, policy makers in Washington have highlighted the danger posed by the authoritarian rule of Nicolas Madura, who supported terrorist and drug traffickers who harmed Americans and works with adversaries of the United States. Here is how North Carolina’s federal delegation and candidates for the United States Senate reacted to the new of the raid.
North Carolina’s Senators:
Sen. Thom Tillis said, “For years, Nicolás Maduro has led a narco-terrorist regime that fueled the drug trade in our communities. President Trump’s decisive action will finally bring this dictator to justice and end the decades of corruption and crime in Venezuela. Thank you to the brave U.S. servicemembers and law enforcement officials who were involved in this important mission to bring an end to tyranny.”
Sen. Ted Budd said, “Nicolas Maduro was an illegitimate dictator who has long been wanted in the U.S. on charges of narco-terrorism, corruption, & drug trafficking. President Trump’s decisive action to capture & bring him to justice is monumental not just for ending his brutal regime in Venezuela, but will save countless American lives from the deadly drugs his thugs have brought to our shores. These actions are within the President’s Article II authority & send a clear message to America’s enemies our nation will not allow threats to our safety & security to continue unchecked. God bless our Special Operations Forces who carried out this daring mission, the Air Force, all those with our armed forces & intelligence community who provided support. Secretary Rubio & his team have done great work to make this possible, as have our federal law enforcement officials who have worked for years to build this case. The U.S. Government has already recognized the Venezuelan opposition, & we can all hope for freedom & prosperity for the Venezuelan people who have long suffered under the weight of Maduro’s oppression.”
Leading Candidates for the North Carolina Senate race:
Republican Michael Whatley said, “Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, and our brave men and women in uniform for taking action to hold Nicolás Maduro accountable for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking against the American people. President Trump has never wavered: narco-terrorists who exploit their power to traffic death into our country will pay. Under President Trump, the United States will no longer accept poison flowing through our borders and killing Americans. He has taken decisive and aggressive action to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for addiction, violence, and death no matter where they operate or how powerful they claim to be. I am proud to support a President who will stop at nothing to protect our people and hold those who traffic death into our country fully responsible.”
Several days after the news broke, Democrat Roy Cooper bizarrely said, “While North Carolina families are facing high costs and health care challenges, this administration is risking American lives in a foreign country for big oil company profits – all with no exit strategy. If drug trafficking was the real reason, Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley would have objected to the President’s pardons of convicted drug traffickers. Instead Whatley is cheering because he knows this is about oil profits, not public safety.”
North Carolina’s House Delegations Response:
Democrat Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) said, “Protecting American families and ending narcotics trafficking are essential to our national security. The use of military force demands accountability and transparency, and Congress must be kept fully informed to ensure proper oversight. I expect continued briefings as the situation in Venezuela evolves.”
Democrat Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) said, “Last night, Donald Trump authorized a military operation to enact regime change in Venezuela. He acted without regard for the constitution and without considering the long-term consequences for our security or our democracy. To be clear, Maduro is a despot who stole elections, imprisoned his political opponents, and trampled on the rights and dignity of his people. But the Trump administration cannot unilaterally impose regime change and push the United States to the brink of war. This action endangers our citizens and democracy around the world. Using military force to remove a foreign head of state unquestionably requires congressional authorization. Trump ignored that requirement, once again thumbing his nose at our constitution and Congress. At a minimum, Congress must be fully and transparently briefed and then take appropriate action.”
Republican Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03) said, “Nicholas Maduro was brutal dictator and the illegitimate president of Venezuela, indicted by the Untied States for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. He was more the head of a narco-terrorist state than the leader of a country. Handpicked by another dictator, Hugo Chavez, to continue the regime of terror that took countless innocent lives and destroyed the gem of South America. Similar to Manuel Noreiga, the Panamanian dictator who also ravaged his country, engaged in drug trafficking with the Medellin cartel, and murdered political opponents, Maduro will face trial for his grievous crimes. Both President Trump and Biden increased previous bounties on his arrest. I support President’s Trump leadership, look forward to justice being served, and aspire to see robust additional engagement in Venezuela to root out corruption and ensure a mouth transition into democratic governance.”
Democrat Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) said, “Maduro is an oppressive, illegitimate ruler who has brutalized his people and dismantled democratic institutions in Venezuela. But that fact does not give any United States president the authority to unilaterally launch military action without congressional approval.”
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) said, “Freedom.”
Republican Rep. Addison McDowell (NC-06) said, “Today’s decisive action by U.S. forces and law enforcement against Maduro is a major victory for our country. Maduro is a narco-terrorist who led a drug cartel responsible for murdering many of our citizens. Because of President Trump’s leadership, he’s now in custody and no longer poses a threat to our people. God bless the brave American service members who undertook this masterclass operation.”
Republican Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07) said, “Nicolás Maduro’s capture and transport to the United States is a win for freedom in Venezuela and justice for America. Maduro is an indicted, illegitimate dictator, which is an important distinction. President Trump’s leadership is sending a clear message to those seeking to harm the United States: regimes that flood our communities with illegal drugs, fuel cartel violence, and undermine U.S. security will be held accountable. President Trump’s decisive action puts America’s safety first and provides a real opportunity for stability, freedom, and a democratic future for Venezuela.”
Republican Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) said, “Democrats spent years making excuses while an illegitimate dictator and indicted narco-terrorist destabilized the hemisphere and endangered American lives. Accountability finally came. Parents in our community can rest easier knowing a major peddler of fentanyl is off the streets. I’m grateful for the heroes who carried out this mission and praying for their safe return home.”
Republican Rep. Mark Harris said, “I am amazed to once again see President Trump’s leadership on full display! To see such a surgical strike carried out with such precision to bring out the criminal and drug lord Maduro to finally face accountability and justice is simply amazing. This is a moment in the western hemisphere to be grateful to the United States military. They have once again stood strong and demonstrated their courage, their intelligence, and their expertise. This narco-terrorist leader will now face trial in the US. Thank you President Trump for your leadership.”
Republican Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10) said, “The Trump administration made a hard call, executed it cleanly, and brought it to a close with ZERO American casualties. For years, Americans have lived with the fallout of chaos spilling across borders while criminals assumed nothing would ever happen to them. Today proves that assumption wrong. When the United States decides to act, the outcome is clear and the message is unmistakable. I’m grateful for the WARRIORS who carried this out, and for an administration that was willing to lead.”
Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11) said, “Illicit narcotics coming from countries like Venezuela have ravaged communities across the U.S., including at home in Western North Carolina. My latest op-ed takes a clear look at President Trump’s decisive actions to keep our country safe and the history of presidential authority to defend our nation against narcoterrorism.”
Democrat Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) said, “President Trump deployed U.S. troops and launched strikes in Venezuela without Congressional authorization, utterly violating the U.S. Constitution. The War Powers Resolution only allows for unilateral presidential action in response to an imminent threat facing American citizens or servicemembers. He failed to offer any proof of that threat, failed to brief and seek Constitutionally required approval from Congress, and once again failed to put America first. The president must immediately and thoroughly brief Congress on this unauthorized action and provide transparent answers to the American people on our operations in Venezuela. Congress also must act swiftly to rein in this executive overreach because we have a duty to serve the Constitution and our constituents, not a man in the Oval Office.”
Republican Rep. Brad Knott (NC-13) said, “As more information is being revealed about last night’s operations in Venezuela, here are three initial observations: 1. Drugs have killed far more Americans than every war our nation has ever fought, combined. Criminal organizations are increasingly joining forces with adversarial nations to develop a sophisticated industry that poisons, degrades, and kills Americans. By exploiting lax enforcement of immigration laws and the Democrats' open border policies, these criminals have deeply embedded themselves in our nation, earning hundreds of billions a year from drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized theft. Dismantling these state-sponsored criminal enterprises is essential to protecting America. 2. As dictator of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro purposefully and criminally enriched himself at the expense of the American AND Venezuelan people. His evil, socialistic Marxist, and corrupt hands, and those of his predecessor Hugo Chavez, destroyed what was once a vibrant beacon of freedom and prosperity for the entire world - and also, a valuable American ally in Venezuela. I have great hope that light will start shining again in Venezuela, and soon. 3. The brave men and women of the United States military remain the world’s last and best defense against evil and the enemies of liberty. We owe them our collective gratitude and admiration. I will be back in Washington soon and look forward to being more fully briefed by the administration about the actions taken. God Bless the United States.”
Republican Rep. Tim Moore (NC-14) said, “Nicolas Maduro was indicted in 2020 for narco-terrorism and weapons trafficking against the United States and now, justice is being carried out. He has been responsible for flooding our streets with deadly drugs and violence that’s claimed countless Americans lives- that ends today. In a precise U.S. military operation with no American lives or equipment lost, this brutal dictator was captured and will finally face accountability on American soil. This mission reflects the unmatched skill of our Armed Forces and the strength of President Trump’s leadership on the world stage.”
