Ohio Democrats criticize Trump’s Venezuela attack, kidnapping of Maduro, as Republicans celebrate it

Democratic Ohio lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to arrest Venezuela’s dictator, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife following a military raid over the weekend.

“This President is out of control. He had no authority to invade Venezuela, offered no explanation for why this was necessary, and has given no strategy for what comes next. Republicans must join us in stopping this President from dragging us into another reckless conflict,” Rep. Shontel Brown wrote.

In another post, Brown criticized Trump for saying that the United States will be “running” Venezuela, adding that this decision was made without the approval of Congress.

“The American people have learned that we are now running’ another country — a decision made without a vote, without a debate in Congress, without a plan. Done by a President who *told* us he would be a dictator,” she wrote. “If you can’t see the stakes, then you aren’t paying attention.”

The American people have learned that we are now “running” another country. A decision made without a vote, without a debate in Congress, without a plan. Done by a President who *told* us he would be a dictator.

If you can’t see the stakes, then you aren’t paying attention.

— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) January 3, 2026

Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes also criticized the Trump administration, writing in her statement that Maduro being a dictator oppressing the Venezuelan people doesn’t give Trump “the right to launch military action without Congress, without clear goals, and without explaining to the American people where this is headed.”

She also noted that Americans should not fund the governance of another country through taxes while they are struggling to make ends meet.

“At a time when families here at home are struggling with rising costs, health care bills, and economic uncertainty, Americans should not be asked to take on the burden of governing another country. Congress must be briefed immediately and must step in before this escalates further and creates consequences we cannot undo.”

Other Ohio Democrats – U.S. Reps. Greg Landsman, Marcy Kaptur, and Joyce Beatty – also criticized Trump for not seeking congressional authorization before invading Venezuela, while acknowledging that Maduro is a dictator.

This is more chaos from this guy, and it’s likely unlawful.

The Administration has to brief Congress on what the threats were that could justify military action and putting Americans in harm’s way – and what the plan is to ensure that we’re all not dealing with even more chaos… https://t.co/3rQhRBpB7z

— Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) January 3, 2026

🧵 Overnight, the United States launched an illegal, large scale military attack against the nation of Venezuela. We have not passed a Congressional authorization to deploy our troops into harm’s way. No legal authority was granted by Congress to install or prop up an interim…

— Rep. Marcy Kaptur (@RepMarcyKaptur) January 3, 2026

Statement on Today’s Trump Administration Actions in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/5MWlLyUGCX

— Rep. Joyce Beatty (@RepBeatty) January 3, 2026

While some Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Max Miller, criticized Trump, others fully supported the recent decision.

Vice President J.D. Vance, who was a senator from his home state of Ohio, responded to the recent news on X by stating that Trump “offered multiple off-ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States.”

“Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says,” Vance wrote. “Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.”

In a follow-up post, Vance responded to the people who were saying that the arrest of Maduro, who was designated as a member of a foreign terrorist organization by the United States, was illegal.

“Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” he wrote.

And PSA for everyone saying this was "illegal":

Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.

— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 3, 2026

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, also praised the Trump administration and American military, adding that Maduro will face trial for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism in a U.S. court of law.

“The United States faced a choice: stand by while this unfolded in our own hemisphere, as American citizens became victims of that enterprise, or take action to end it and give the Venezuelan people a genuine opportunity to choose new leadership and a new direction,” he wrote.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, also celebrated the recent decision by the Trump administration, claiming that Trump “changed the course of Latin America for a generation.”

President Trump today changed the course of Latin America for a generation. By acting in America’s self defense and self interest to end the narco terror organization run by Nicolas Maduro, he eliminated an obvious clear and present danger to our nation. Unlike the inept and… https://t.co/MXQKqyAJVd

— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) January 3, 2026

He also criticized the previous administration for not protecting Americans from the regime that has been pushing drugs into the United States.

“Maduro and his band of narco terrorists were directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans, threatened our national security, and unleashed a historic invasion of our Country by criminals,” Moreno wrote.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also praised Trump, claiming that this is “how justice works.”

Many other Republican Ohio lawmakers also celebrated the capture of Maduro. Among them were state Rep. Josh Williams and U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson, Bob Latta, Mike Carey, Dave Taylor, and Dave Joyce.