Democrats Deepen Fractures Over Trump’s Venezuela Move as Poll Shows Public Backs Maduro Prosecution
Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. The United States military was behind a series of strikes against the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday, US media reported. The White House and Pentagon have not commented on the explosions and reports of aircraft over the city. US media outlets CBS News and Fox News reported unnamed Trump administration officials confirming that US forces were involved. (Photo by AFP)
By James Morley III | Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Democrats face growing internal divisions as they condemn President Donald Trump’s operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro while also acknowledging the Venezuelan leader’s record as a brutal dictator. A new Washington Post poll showed that a majority of Americans support bringing Maduro to justice, with 50% favoring a trial for the former Venezuelan strongman who was indicted on U.S. drug-trafficking charges and only 14% opposing such a trial.
Even among Democrats, opposition stands at just 24%, underscoring discomfort within the party over how to respond to Saturday’s operation. That tension was on display in a CNN interview with Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H. When asked if it was good that Maduro was no longer in power, Goodlander labeled him a dictator but declined to directly answer, pivoting to unrelated remarks. Her response put her at odds not only with Republicans but also with polling that shows broad public backing for the action.
Axios reported this week that vulnerable Democrats are increasingly frustrated by what they describe as mixed messaging from party leaders. One anonymous lawmaker told Axios: “Maduro is bad, glad he is gone … You can’t have it both ways,” adding that reflexive opposition to Trump risks alienating voters. Another centrist Democrat called the response “weak,” warning that refusing to acknowledge a clear national security win damages credibility.
The split highlights a broader challenge for Democrats as Trump’s foreign policy actions attract bipartisan public support, forcing the party to navigate between its anti-Trump base and a political reality that appears less forgiving of blanket opposition.
