Montana’s Republican delegation swiftly expressed approval of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that a “large-scale strike” had been conducted, leading to the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump revealed during a press conference that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela’s governance until a secure transition was possible.
In a New York federal court arraignment, Maduro faced charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine conspiracy, pleading not guilty and claiming he was “kidnapped.”
Montana’s congressional representatives praised the operation on social platforms. Sen. Steve Daines commended Trump and U.S. forces on X, while Sen. Tim Sheehy stated the mission enhanced safety across the Western hemisphere. Rep. Troy Downing labeled Venezuela “a fake narco state” and highlighted the operation’s global message against threats to U.S. welfare.
Rep. Ryan Zinke asserted on X that Maduro’s drug activities posed significant risks. However, leading Democrats criticized the action for bypassing Congress’s war-declaring authority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, noting pre-action disclosure was impractical due to operational security concerns.
International law experts, in discussions with The Guardian and BBC, argued the strike breached U.N. Charter regulations, which restrict force unless in self-defense or with Security Council approval. Trump’s subsequent hints at similar actions in Colombia, Cuba, and Greenland prompted queries regarding their legality. Montana’s delegation did not provide timely responses about these legalities or the necessity of congressional consent.
Zinke defended Trump’s actions in a Jan. 3 post, claiming they complied with Articles I and II of the Constitution, which allocate congressional war-declaration rights and presidential military command respectively, but did not elaborate further.
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