Shreve
Indiana’s congressional delegation has had different reactions to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela amid concerns that President Donald Trump is embarking on a new era of U.S. expansionism without consulting Congress.
On Saturday, U.S. forces launched an attack against Venezuela that resulted in the capture of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were taken to the United States to face trial on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, among other charges.
Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Ind., has said he supports the U.S. service members who carried out the attack but that “Congress must get clear briefings on what happened and what comes next.”
“I support our service members who carried out this morning’s operation in Venezuela,” Shreve said in a statement on X. “Their discipline and professionalism matter. Maduro’s regime has abused its people and corrupted institutions for too many years. America should stand with Venezuelans who want freedom — and Congress must get clear briefings on what happened and what comes next.”
Shreve’s staff said the first-term congressman was unavailable to discuss his views on the U.S. attack against Venezuela or what role he believes Congress should play. His reasoning for why Congress should be briefed remains unclear.
Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., characterized the military operation against Venezuela as “successful” and praised U.S. service members but said lawmakers “still need more answers” in two separate statements on X.
“I appreciate @POTUS briefing the American people this morning about the successful operation in Venezuela,” Young said in a statement on X. “We still need more answers, especially to questions regarding the next steps in Venezuela’s transition. As Congress returns to Washington next week, I am eager to work with members of the Trump Administration to bring clarity to the situation.”
“I commend the bravery and professionalism of U.S. personnel who carried out a successful mission in Venezuela,” Young said in a separate statement on X. “This should be an opportunity to bring Maduro to justice for his many crimes and a day of new hope for the Venezuelan people. I look forward to hearing more about the Administration’s plans for a positive transition in the days ahead.”
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., struck a different tone, claiming that “Maduro turned Venezuela into a narco-state” and “drug cartel posing as a government and killing Americans.”
“Let this be a warning to every narco-terrorist in the Western Hemisphere,” Banks said in a statement on X. “President Trump is doing exactly what Americans elected him to do, protect America and keep our people safe.”
Venezuela is not a major source of drugs to the U.S., The Associated Press reported. There is also no evidence to suggest fentanyl comes from Venezuela. Rather, the vast majority of fentanyl that flows into the U.S. is transported in through Mexico and often produced from precursor chemicals coming from Asia.
An official with the Drug Enforcement Administration told The Republic previously that the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel and Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación are responsible for the majority of illegal drugs coming into central and southern Indiana.
Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., did not directly comment on the U.S. attack, but rather retweeted a comment by the Republican Study Committee, stating, “For decades, Venezuela’s narco-regime has stolen American oil, seized our assets and robbed our platforms while past presidents did nothing. That ends now. Under President Trump, narco-dictators don’t get deals — they get dealt with. FAFO.”
FAFO is internet slang that means “(expletive) around and find out.”
Rep. André Carson, D-Ind, for his part, criticized the U.S. attack against Venezuela.
“Trump’s move in Venezuela is a dangerous misuse of taxpayer dollars and an intolerable abuse of power,” Carson said in a statement on X. “Only Congress has the power to declare war. How can Trump pay for the forced removal of another country’s president — but can’t pay for children’s healthcare in his own country? Congress must act now, in a bipartisan way, to stop this insanity.”
Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., said in a statement on X that he believes Congress should have been consulted before the attack.
Mrvan also compared Maduro to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation that moved hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States.
Orlando Hernández was released from prison last month after Trump pardoned him.
“There is no question that Maduro is a bad actor, and I know firsthand the drastic harm that international drug cartels have caused individuals and communities throughout Northwest Indiana,” Mrvan said in a statement on X. “I am aware that Maduro has been indicted in the United States on narco-terrorism charges and will be given a fair trial in the United States, as was Honduran President Hernandez, who without explanation was recently pardoned by President Trump.”
“I believe that Congress must be consulted and included in any discussion involving this type of military or enforcement action,” Mrvan added. “While the Constitution grants the Executive Branch broad authority in foreign affairs, it also clearly establishes a role for Congress, particularly when American troops may be placed in harm’s way. I am deeply concerned about the precedent set when this balance is ignored, and I look forward to Congress hearing directly from the Administration on this matter as soon as possible.”
