NC candidates and congressional delegation react to US action in Venezuela
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- North Carolina Republicans praise strikes, call Maduro’s capture justice.
- Democrats demand congressional authorization and War Powers oversight now.
- Several candidates link strikes to drug interdiction and national security goals.
North Carolina’s congressional delegation and candidates reacted Saturday to the U.S. bombing military sites in Venezuela and capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. carried out airstrikes on the South American country early Saturday morning and flew Maduro and his wife out of the country to face criminal charges in the U.S. Here’s what congressional candidates had to say:
Sen. Ted Budd, a Republican from Advance: “Nicolas Maduro was an illegitimate dictator who has long been wanted in the U.S. on charges of narco-terrorism, corruption, & drug trafficking,” Budd wrote on X Saturday morning. “[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.”
Rep. Valerie Foushee, a Hillsborough Democrat: “Maduro is an oppressive, illegitimate ruler who has brutalized his people and dismantled democratic institutions in Venezuela,” Foushee wrote on the social platform X. “But that fact does not give any United States president the authority to unilaterally launch military action without congressional approval.
“The American people did not ask for another war, and our service members should not be put in harm’s way without authorization, oversight, or accountability. We have seen the devastating consequences of unauthorized wars before, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself. Congress must pass the War Powers Resolution now to re-establish its authority over military actions.”
Michael Whatley, Republican Senate candidate: “Thank you to [Trump], [Secretary of State Marco Rubio], [Defense Secretary Pete 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,” Whatley wrote on X. “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.”
Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat: “Last night, Donald Trump authorized a military operation to enact regime change in Venezuela,” Ross said in a Saturday statement. “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.”
Rep. Brad Knott, a Raleigh Republican: “As more information is being revealed about last night’s operations in Venezuela, here are three initial observations,” Knott wrote on Facebook Saturday morning.
“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.”
Rep. Alma Adams, a Charlotte Democrat: “President Trump deployed U.S. troops and launched strikes in Venezuela without Congressional authorization, utterly violating the U.S. Constitution,” Adams wrote on social media Saturday evening.
“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.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville: “For years, Nicolás Maduro has led a narco-terrorist regime that fueled the drug trade in our communities,” Tillis posted on social media Saturday night. “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.”
The News & Observer has reached out to former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democratic candidate for Senate, for comment.
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 2:43 PM with the headline "NC candidates and congressional delegation react to US action in Venezuela."
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