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California lawmakers react to US military strike on Venezuela
President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question in the Oval Office of the White House, on Friday.
(
Alex Brandon
/
AP
)
President Donald Trump launched a military strike against Venezuela overnight, resulting in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In a news conference this morning, Trump said the U.S. is going to "run" that country, until a proper transition is in place.
California lawmakers are reacting to the attacks.
"Nicolás Maduro was a thug and an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, terrorizing and oppressing its people for far too long and forcing many to leave the country. But starting a war to remove Maduro doesn’t just continue Donald Trump’s trampling of the Constitution, it further erodes America’s standing on the world stage and risks our adversaries mirroring this brazen illegal escalation," says Sen. Adam Schiff, a democrat.
Nicolás Maduro was a thug and an illegitimate leader of Venezuela, terrorizing and oppressing its people for far too long and forcing many to leave the country. But starting a war to remove Maduro doesn’t just continue Donald Trump’s trampling of the Constitution, it further…
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) January 3, 2026
Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, who represents areas including Murrieta and the Temecula Valley, says President Trump, "has taken strong action to protect America’s homeland from neighboring threats of narcoterrorism and the scourge of deadly narcotics. The Trump administration has my full support."
Our elite military have again performed brilliantly with total effectiveness, and minimum loss of life. They are the best-trained, best-equipped, and bravest in the world.
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) January 3, 2026
Once again, @realDonaldTrump has taken strong action to protect America’s homeland from neighboring threats…
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Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla says, "Let’s be absolutely clear: Trump’s military action in Venezuela is unlawful without approval from Congress."
Let’s be absolutely clear: Trump’s military action in Venezuela is unlawful without approval from Congress.
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) January 3, 2026
There’s no clear objective, no endgame, and no plan for what comes next. This is a dangerous recipe for chaos in the region.
And while he escalates conflicts abroad,…
California Governor Gavin Newsom did not directly response to the attacks. He zeroed in on a comment Trump made about the L.A. fires during the news conference.
"Unless Trump is finally delivering the federal aid survivors need to rebuild after the horrific fires — nearly a year after California first requested it — he should keep Los Angeles out of his mouth," Newsom's office says on social.
Unless Trump is finally delivering the federal aid survivors need to rebuild after the horrific fires — nearly a year after California first requested it — he should keep Los Angeles out of his mouth. https://t.co/DolwqB3NnJ
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) January 3, 2026
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