Rep. Pat Harrigan on US Military Operation in Venezuela and Maduro's Capture

U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela

• 🚀 Rep. Pat Harrigan described the U.S.-led strikes in Venezuela as an incredible military operation, praising the flawless execution by the U.S. military.
• 💡 The operation involved approximately 150 aircraft across all branches of the military, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Command, and Cyber Command.
• 🎯 The timeline indicates the mission began with orders from President Trump at 12:46 a.m., with the first explosions heard in Caracas between 1:50 and 2:00 a.m., and the capture of Maduro and his wife by 2:01 a.m.

Capture and Legal Proceedings

• ⛓️ Maduro and his wife were captured and are being transported on the USS Euima to New York to face U.S. charges.
• ⚖️ Harrigan emphasized that bringing Maduro to justice for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking is something most Americans can support, contrasting it with assassination.

U.S. Pressure and Venezuela's Collapse

• 📈 The U.S. had previously exerted pressure on Venezuela through a military buildup, including 12+ warships, 35 strikes on alleged drug boats, and the amassing of 15,000 troops.
• ⚠️ Venezuela's collapse under Maduro's narco-terrorist dictatorship is cited as a cause of problems for America, including drug trafficking that kills Americans and the invitation of hostile foreign powers.
• 🌎 The situation also contributed to mass illegal migration.

Future Plans and Political Debate

• 🤔 Harrigan expressed confidence in President Trump's plan for Venezuela's future but acknowledged that the specifics are being kept confidential.
• 🗣️ He noted that the administration needs to improve messaging regarding the mission moving forward.
• 🇺🇸 There is a debate within the Republican party regarding interventionism versus isolationism, with some members questioning the constitutional basis and the focus of the operation.
• 🔒 Harrigan suggested that some members of Congress cannot be trusted with sensitive information and may leak classified details, necessitating careful handling of operations under various authorities like Title 50 for national security.