Senate Republicans Split on Whether Trump Should Unleash Military Pressure Against Venezuela

By Sam Barron | Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Republicans are divided over whether President Donald Trump should push for military pressure to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from office.

While Senate Republicans have supported the administration’s decision to attack Venezuelan speedboats believed to be smuggling fentanyl into the country, some cautioned that entering Venezuela could backfire.

“Supporting what the president has done,” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, stated, “I think we just need to be very careful when dealing with regime change—it seems to backfire a lot.”

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has opposed the bombing of Venezuelan speedboats without congressional authorization.

“It’s the danger we’ve gotten away from,” Paul said. “At one point in time, Congress was supposed to declare war under the Constitution. We’ve moved past that.”

Paul recently joined Senate Democrats in filing a war powers resolution to block military engagement with Venezuela without congressional approval.

A Republican senator, speaking anonymously, warned against sending ground troops to Venezuela, stating: “I don’t want another Afghanistan or Iraq. I’m not in favor of U.S.-directed regime change. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said that regime change is not the policy of the United States.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, expressed a lack of clarity about the administration’s goals: “The briefing helped somewhat, but there’s still a lack of clarity—aside from the drug issue, why are we involved in Venezuela?”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wants Maduro removed but called for more transparency: “Most Americans want to know what happens next. I’d like a better answer as to what occurs when Maduro goes.”

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., emphasized protecting Americans from drug-related threats: “Clearly, Maduro is part of these cartel rings. But right now, the focus should be on blowing up boats that are killing Americans.”

Sam Barron has nearly two decades of experience covering politics, crime, and business.

Politics