Trump Not Speaking To Congress?
Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said Sunday that Congress has yet to receive a clear explanation from the Trump administration regarding its objectives toward Venezuela, even as U.S. pressure on the Maduro regime continues to intensify.
Appearing on ABC News’ “This Week” with host Martha Raddatz, Turner said lawmakers remain largely in the dark about the administration’s long-term goals in the South American nation.
“The president has not been clear, and there has certainly been no detailed communication with Congress,” Turner said.
Turner noted that while administrations often avoid disclosing sensitive operational details publicly, Congress still has an oversight role—particularly when U.S. military, economic, and national security interests are involved.
Trump Administration Escalates Pressure on Maduro Regime
The Trump administration has sharply increased pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whom U.S. officials have repeatedly described as an illegitimate ruler following disputed elections and widespread human rights concerns.
In recent months, the Pentagon has expanded its presence in the U.S. Southern Command region, signaling a tougher stance toward the socialist government in Caracas. The moves come amid growing concerns over drug trafficking, regional instability, and illegal migration impacting the United States.
President Trump has also authorized more than 20 maritime interdiction strikes targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September. U.S. officials say the operations are aimed at disrupting narcotics networks linked to Venezuela.
Oil Tanker Seizure Signals Economic Pressure Campaign
Last week, U.S. authorities seized a sanctioned oil tanker traveling near Venezuelan waters and believed to be en route to Cuba. The vessel had been under U.S. sanctions since 2022 and was reportedly carrying more than one million barrels of oil.
Turner said the seizure demonstrates that the administration is increasing economic pressure on Maduro as part of a broader strategy to weaken the regime’s financial lifelines.
President Trump has pointed to several factors behind the administration’s actions, including national security concerns and the surge in migrants fleeing Venezuela’s economic collapse and attempting to enter the United States.
Even Top Intelligence Leaders Say They Were Not Briefed
Earlier Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a senior member of the so-called “Gang of Eight”—the bipartisan group responsible for overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies—said he also had not received a briefing on the administration’s plans regarding Venezuela.
Turner, who led the House Intelligence Committee from 2023 through early 2025 and later served as its ranking member, said the lack of communication raises concerns about transparency, even as pressure on Caracas increases.
Venezuela Remains Major Oil Producer Despite Decline
While Venezuela’s oil exports have dropped significantly in recent years due to sanctions and infrastructure problems, the country remained the 10th-largest crude oil producer among OPEC nations as of late 2023, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
That reality underscores why developments involving Venezuela continue to carry economic and geopolitical consequences for the United States and its allies.
