Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the US Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington, for a closed-door briefing with top lawmakers after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges. (AP Photo)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior officials briefed congressional leaders on Monday about the military operation in Venezuela, as lawmakers asked more questions about the next steps under President Donald Trump.
The meeting took place behind closed doors at the Capitol. According to AP, Republican leaders generally supported Trump’s decision to remove Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, while many Democrats said they still needed more information.
The US continues to keep naval vessels off Venezuela’s coast, and Trump has encouraged American companies to invest again in the country’s oil sector.
In this photo released by the White House, President Donald Trump monitors US military operations in Venezuela with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, center, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP/PTI)
A war powers resolution that would block US military action in Venezuela without Congress’ approval is expected to face a Senate vote this week.
Who was briefed
The briefing included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Dan Caine, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, AP reported.
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They spoke to the “gang of eight” senior leaders from intelligence and national security committees. “We don’t expect troops on the ground”.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., answers questions from reporters following a closed-door briefing from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others about the U.S. military operation in Venezuela ordered by President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo)
After the meeting, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, according to AP: “We don’t expect troops on the ground.”
Johnson also said the US wanted to stop drug trafficking linked to Venezuela. “This is not a regime change. This is a change in behaviour,” he said.
He added that pressure on Venezuela’s oil exports would push the interim authorities towards “new governance”.
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Questions from Democrats
Lawmakers said they had not been informed about the operation until after it had begun. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said there were still “many more questions that need to be answered”.
Rep. Gregory Meeks asked, “What is the cost? How much is this going to cost the United States of America?” No clarity on who runs Venezuela
Some lawmakers said it was still unclear who currently holds power. Sen. Mark Warner said, according to AP: “I wish I could tell you yes, but I can’t.”
The Trump administration has been in contact with Delcy Rodríguez, who became interim president after Maduro was removed. Trump has been critical of opposition figure María Corina Machado, despite her international recognition.
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Republican senator Rick Scott said he believes Venezuela will eventually hold elections and that Machado could win.
Sen. Rand Paul criticised the operation, saying: “There’s no way you can say bombing a capital and removing the president of a foreign country is not an initiation of war.” He said the move sets “a bad precedent”.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the US Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington, for a closed-door briefing with top lawmakers after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges. (AP Photo) 
