After Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized overnight from their home on a military base by the United States, members of the local Western Pennsylvania congressional delegation are weighing in about the stunning action.

The Western Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress hailed the mission as justified and appropriate while congressional Democrats sharply criticized it as illegal — except for Sen. John Fetterman.

The Armed Services committees in both houses of Congress, which have jurisdiction over military matters, had not been notified by the administration of any actions, according to a person familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it with the Associated Press.

Some lawmakers from both political parties in Congress have raised deep reservations and flat-out objections to the U.S. attacks on boats suspected of drug smuggling near the Venezuelan coast.

Following Maduro’s capture, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account a photo that he said showed Maduro in custody, blindfolded and wearing a sweatsuit.

Pictured: Venezuela’s Maduro in U.S. custody pic.twitter.com/6JXBszg1b2

— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) January 3, 2026

President Donald Trump insisted the U.S. government will run Venezuela, at least temporarily, and tap the county’s vast oil reserves to sell “large amounts” to other countries, the Associated Press reported, until a transition of power can take place.

‘A dangerous precedent’

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a Swissvale Democrat, said that “invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of U.S. and international law.”

In a statement Saturday posted to her website, as well as the social media platforms X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky, she denounced the White House’s “unauthorized, illegal” military action.

Invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of U.S. and international law.

This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international stability and security, puts Americans further at risk, and infringes on the…

— Rep. Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) January 3, 2026

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) (@repsummerlee)

Invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of U.S. and international law. www.cbsnews.com/live-updates…

[image or embed]

— Rep. Summer Lee (@repsummerlee.bsky.social) January 3, 2026 at 12:57 PM

“This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international stability and security, puts Americans further at risk and infringes on the sovereignty of foreign countries,” Lee said.

She called for Congress to pass a War Powers Resolution to immediately “stop this unilateral executive action.”

“Congress must act and reassert its authority,” Lee said.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio posted his reaction to X, Facebook and Threads, saying both Congress and the American people haven’t authorized an invasion, war or military occupation of Venezuela.

Neither the American people nor the United States Congress has authorized an invasion of Venezuela, a war with Venezuela, or a military occupation of Venezuela.

We have enough problems here at home in America that President Trump is failing to fix; we do not need a reckless and…

— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) January 3, 2026

View on Threads

“We have enough problems here at home in America that President Trump is failing to fix; we do not need a reckless and unconstitutional foreign military occupation that would drain precious American blood and treasure,” Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, wrote. “To the young people of Pennsylvania: Should you die for regime change and an occupation of Venezuela? To Pennsylvanian parents and grandparents: Should your children or grandchildren be sent to risk their lives?”

Deluzio emphasized that in a constitutional republic like the United States, a president doesn’t have the power to send troops into war and occupation without congressional approval.

“Our Constitution is clear: the American people through our representatives in Congress have the sole power to declare war and send Americans to topple foreign governments and occupy foreign lands,” he wrote. “Yet Donald Trump thinks the American people have no say in any of this and that we should all foot the bill for his unconstitutional actions in Venezuela.”

Calling Maduro an “illegitimate and brutal dictator who stole an election to cling to power,” Deluzio said it’s not the American people’s responsibility to “launch regime change wars against every foreign despot.”

He vowed he will do everything in his power to defend the American Constitution, as his constitutional oath “is sacred.”

“My generation of veterans knows the heavy costs and long-lasting wounds of unnecessary forever wars fueled by a lust for oil abroad. No more,” said Deluzio, who is himself an Iraq War veteran. “No Americans should bleed and die in an unnecessary war and occupation that the American people have not approved.

“Congress needs to grow a spine and take back authority over war powers.”

‘Flawless’ mission

However, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly praised the commander in chief following Maduro’s capture — asserting that it’s the “right time” to have Trump, who he called the “right president,” in the White House.

“Today, President Trump has once again shown the world that the United States will defend itself from terrorism of all kinds, including narcoterrorism led by Venezuela’s illegitimate leader Nicolás Maduro,” he said in a statement posted to his website.

A Butler Republican, Kelly said he’s sounded the alarm previously about foreign intervention against the U.S. throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“This includes illegal drug trafficking into our country,” he said. “Today’s tactical military operation in Venezuela is the Trump Doctrine in action.”

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a U.S. Navy veteran, said Trump “has once again” made the United States safer.

“Maduro is an indicted narcoterrorist, who enabled the ruthless Venezuelan cartels that funnel lethal drugs into the United States,” said Reschenthaler, R-Peters, in a statement posted to his website. “This precise and decisive action demonstrates to our adversaries what happens when you place Americans in danger.”

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a Gulf War veteran and former paratrooper, congratulated Trump and his administration Saturday via a post on X, Facebook and Instagram.

Congratulations to @POTUS and his team and to our brave troops for this flawlessly executed mission to remove the illegitimate dictator Nicolas Maduro. For years Maduro’s regime killed our children by flooding America's streets with poison, threatened our borders, and undermined…

— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) January 3, 2026

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Senator Dave McCormick (@senmccormickpa)

“For years, Maduro’s regime killed our children by flooding America’s streets with poison, threatened our borders and undermined U.S. national security,” he wrote. “I urge what’s left of the Maduro regime to honor the will of the Venezuelan people and transition peacefully to rightfully elected leadership.”

McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, also congratulated the “brave troops” for what he called a “flawlessly executed mission to remove the illegitimate dictator Nicolás Maduro.”

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman also praised the military’s effort in identical posts shared on his X and Facebook accounts.

Grateful for our U.S. military personnel that handled these orders in Venezuela with precision.

I maintain that we have the STRONGEST and MOST LETHAL military in the world—today proves that even more. ????????

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 3, 2026

“Grateful for our U.S. military personnel that handled these orders in Venezuela with precision,” said Fetterman, D-Braddock. “I maintain that we have the STRONGEST and MOST LETHAL military in the world—today proves that even more.”

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---