President Donald Trump watches live as U.S. forces assault Venezuela and capture the nation's president, Nicolas Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. (Courtesy: Truth Social)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin lawmakers are sharing their applause and criticism after the early morning strike on Venezuela and the capture of the nation’s president, Nicolas Maduro, as ordered by President Donald Trump.
Saturday afternoon, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin issued a statement, calling the President’s actions unauthorized.
After months of carrying out illegal strikes in the Caribbean, President Trump’s unauthorized military attack on Venezuela to arrest Maduro and take control of a sovereign nation puts American troops in harm’s way with no transparency, justification, or clear path forward.
“I’m committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs and standing up to illegitimate dictators like Maduro, but President Trump has made a unilateral decision to initiate regime change, deploy American troops on the ground, and seemingly take control of Venezuela, all without congressional approval.
“The President does not have the unilateral authority to invade foreign countries, oust their governments, and seize their resources. Under the Constitution, the power to go to war lies with the people’s branch. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to reassert our constitutional role in authorizing military force when needed and holding President Trump accountable before the United States is engaged in another war the American people did not choose. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
Tony Wied, a Republican serving as Wisconsin’s 8th District Representative, which covers Green Bay, issued a statement celebrating Trump’s move.
President Trump successfully extradited an indicted dictator and accused narcoterrorist without a single American casualty. A decisive operation that made clear: if you traffic deadly drugs into our country, there will be consequences. Nicolas Maduro will now face justice for his crimes. – Rep. Tony Wied
Tom Tiffany, who serves as Wisconsin’s 7th District Representative, and who is a Republican candidate for Wisconsin Governor, reacted to Trump’s move on X:
Nicolas Maduro was the leader of a designated terrorist narco-cartel responsible for the deaths of countless Americans, and he will now face justice for his crimes.
I commend President Trump and the brave U.S. personnel who carried out this efficient and effective operation.
— Rep. Tom Tiffany (@RepTiffany) January 3, 2026
Derrick Van Orden, a Republican serving as Wisconsin’s 3rd District Representative, tweeted this response on X following the strike:
DVO STATEMENT ON MADURO: pic.twitter.com/mSQQdP6Xal
— Rep. Derrick Van Orden (@RepVanOrden) January 3, 2026
Mark Pocan, a Democrat serving as Wisconsin’s 2nd District Representative, criticized Trump’s move on X, calling it an ‘act of war’:
Trump continues to ignore the US Constitution and lie to Congress and the American people. Bombing and occupying Venezuela is an illegal act of war against a sovereign nation.
Only Congress has the ability to declare war, but Speaker Johnson and the Republican majorities in the…
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) January 3, 2026
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