Democrats’ Misguided Response to Trump’s Venezuela Policy

Since the start of President Trump’s crusade against Nicolás Maduro’s drug empire, many Democratic officials have voiced grave concerns. They argue that Trump’s hard-line approach — from sweeping sanctions to hints of military action — risks dragging the U.S. into another “forever war.”

Whereas concerns about the legality of the 16 lethal drug-boat strikes that have killed 66 alleged narco-terrorists, and about Trump’s potential abuse of presidential authority, are still up for debate, House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats also warned on social media that “Trump and [Marco] Rubio are pushing for regime change in Venezuela.” In September 2025, Democratic House leaders such as Representative Gregory Meeks likewise warned Trump’s authorization of lethal strikes on Venezuelan targets “risks dragging us into another endless war.”

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Santiago Vidal Calvo

Santiago Vidal Calvo is a Cities policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute.

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Since the start of President Trump’s crusade against Nicolás Maduro’s drug empire, many Democratic officials have voiced grave concerns. They argue that Trump’s hard-line approach — from sweeping sanctions to hints of military action — risks dragging the U.S. into another “forever war.”

Whereas concerns about the legality of the 16 lethal drug-boat strikes that have killed 66 alleged narco-terrorists, and about Trump’s potential abuse of presidential authority, are still up for debate, House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats also warned on social media that “Trump and [Marco] Rubio are pushing for regime change in Venezuela.” In September 2025, Democratic House leaders such as Representative Gregory Meeks likewise warned Trump’s authorization of lethal strikes on Venezuelan targets “risks dragging us into another endless war.”