Congresswoman Watson Coleman Statement on Kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) addressed the Trump Administration’s kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and plans to “run” the sovereign nation in the aftermath:

The actions of the Trump Administration in Venezuela this week are a danger to American interests, the safety of the Venezuelan people, and our own democracy.

For months, Democrats have been warning of the danger posed by our weak Speaker of the House. Recently, even some Republicans have complained, both publicly and privately, that Mike Johnson’s role as a rubber-stamp Speaker, taking marching orders from the White House, puts the Country at risk.

Now we’re seeing the consequences of a Congress that has neglected its duties. The President has engaged in an illegal military assault against another nation, kidnapped its leader, and announced that the U.S. will be running said country.

These are not the actions of a global leader. They are not the actions of a leader of sound mind. They undermine the very notion of sovereignty developed over hundreds of years and establish a might-is-right world order that risks peace everywhere.

The kidnapping of a foreign leader under the cover of darkness is without precedent in a democratic society. The President made no effort to justify his actions. His excuses, and those of his cabinet, have been contradictory at best and downright ludicrous at worst. The President’s recent comments stating that he personally will be controlling the money from oil taken from Venezuela lays bare the criminal nature of his actions.

The President does not have a clear long-term strategy to deal with the fallout from these actions as if nothing was learned from our invasion of Iraq. Removing a despot without considering the power vacuum that creates ensures political chaos and strife for innocent Venezuelans.

This illegal action threatens the tenuous stability of Latin America, the safety of Venezuelans and people living in neighboring countries and will necessitate the continued use of the U.S. military, putting our servicemembers in danger. The President has since admitted his actions were taken with the consultation not of Congress or our allies, but with oil executives.

Donald Trump lied to the American people. He lied to Congress. And he has exposed himself as a lackey for corporate America. It is a shameful time for our nation, and that shame falls directly at the feet of Donald Trump and his enablers in Congress.

​Congress must reassert its constitutional authority and immediately begin an investigation into the planning and execution of this action. I call on all my colleagues with even a modicum of self-respect to join this effort and reestablish oversight over an out-of-control executive.

Donald Trump and this Administration and this Congress should be dealing with the cost of living that has escalated in our country and negatively impacts what our people are able to eat, to buy and their shelter. We should be concerned about the fact that we are not pursing health care so that everyone has access to a healthy living in this country. Those should be our priorities, and those are the things that I’m going to continue to fight for.

Additionally, you can watch a video address from the Congresswoman here.