Gov. J.B. Pritzker and members of Illinois’ congressional delegation shared reactions to the U.S. military’s stunning capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, hours after the president and his wife were seized overnight from their home on a military base.
In a series of separate statements, the state’s Republican members of Congress hailed the operation, which was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump. Democrats largely condemned the actions, with some going as far as to call for the president’s impeachment.
Lawmakers’ complete statements can be found below:
Donald Trump’s unconstitutional military action in Venezuela is putting our troops in harm's way with no long-term strategy.
The American people deserve a President focused on making their lives more affordable.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) January 3, 2026
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth
“The American people believed Donald Trump when he promised on the campaign trail that he would get our nation out of foreign wars, but this morning we awoke to another stark reminder that he is—and has always been—a liar who has never cared about keeping his promises. The Constitution requires the American people, through their elected representatives in Congress, to authorize any President to engage in acts of war—because they will be the ones to live with the consequences of the decision—and it is unacceptable for this President to deny them that responsibility.
“While Trump—whose love of country is best measured by the number of times he dodged the draft during Vietnam—may believe that war is ‘like watching a TV show’ as he said this morning, he has never understood or appreciated that the true costs of war are measured not only in dollars and cents, but in the blood, sweat and sacrifices of our troops and our military families. Sadly, our troops understand all too well just how costly it can be when our nation engages in war without a plan for what comes next, destabilizing an entire region.
“Donald Trump’s reckless and unconstitutional operations in Venezuela—including this morning’s arrest of a foreign leader—are not about enforcing law and order because if they were, he wouldn’t hide them from Congress. Maduro was unquestionably a bad actor, but no President has the authority to unilaterally decide to use force to topple a government, thrusting us and the region into uncertainty without justification, a defined end-state or a real plan for preventing the instability that could come next. His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe. None of that serves our nation’s interests.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
“The Trump administration’s military action in Venezuela violates international law and dangerously escalates the possibility of full-scale war. The illegal actions by the Trump administration have nothing to do with defending the Venezuelan people; they are solely about oil and power.
As we have said for the past two years, the dehumanization of migrants from Venezuela, and of immigrants generally, by the Far Right has laid the groundwork for military action in Central and South America. I strongly condemn the Trump administration’s inhumane treatment of migrants in our country and this illegal regime change abroad.
In Chicago, we will continue to uphold the values of peace, diplomacy, and mutual respect for all people.”
President Trump has once again taken decisive action to protect America’s national security interests on the global stage. For years, Nicholas Maduro oversaw a deadly drug trafficking operation that flooded American streets with narcotics, destroying lives and tearing families… pic.twitter.com/wLficT7rrN
— Rep. Mike Bost (@RepBost) January 3, 2026
Under President @realDonaldTrump’s leadership, dictator Nicolás Maduro will face much-needed justice on American soil.
For years, Venezuelan narco-terrorism has poisoned our communities and killed countless Americans. That ends now.
I'm grateful for @SecRubio, @SecWar,…
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) January 3, 2026
God bless our brave U.S. Special Forces who executed a successful operation in Venezuela.
Nicolas Maduro is a thug, dictator and international criminal. He has continued to engage in narco-terrorism, flooding the U.S. with illegal drugs that are harming U.S. citizens every day.…
— Darin LaHood (@RepLaHood) January 3, 2026
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly – 2nd District
“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate ruler who oppressed the people of Venezuela. But President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change in Venezuela is shortsighted and drags the U.S. into a reckless conflict that could destabilize the entire region. I demand a vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump from launching further military action without Congressional approval.
The American people did not ask to be involved in another foreign conflict, but President Trump now wants to ‘run the country.’ The President needs to stop acting like a dictator and start improving the lives of Americans, including people who actually voted for him. That is how a democracy should work. But President Trump’s attack on Venezuela does nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans and does everything to enrich himself and his billionaire oil-executive friends. Our focus should be here at home, lowering costs of healthcare, housing, and groceries.”
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi – 8th District
“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator who has inflicted immense suffering on the Venezuelan people, but that reality does not give any president a blank check to use military force without Congress. By acting without congressional authorization and publicly asserting U.S. control over another sovereign nation, President Trump is abusing presidential power and undermining the Constitution’s separation of powers. The Administration must immediately account for the safety of U.S. personnel, disclose whether there were any casualties, and fully and immediately brief Congress. The President has now stated that the United States will run Venezuela, committing the country to open-ended responsibility. Neither the American people nor Congress approved that course. This use of force and claimed control erode the rule of law, embolden Moscow and Beijing to push boundaries elsewhere, weaken America’s credibility, and ultimately make Americans less safe.”
The bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of Maduro are gross violations of international law and our own Constitution.
Trump and his administration have lied, consolidated power, and committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil and pursue regime change for their imperialistic… https://t.co/pUKqlyuSFw
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@repdeliaramirez) January 3, 2026
I strongly condemn President Trump’s unlawful military action in Venezuela. Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but the President cannot send U.S. forces into another country and seize its leader without Congressional authorization.
The Trump Administration has not shown that…
— Rep. Sean Casten (@RepCasten) January 3, 2026
U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski – 13th District
“The President has just sidestepped Congress, launched a strike on Venezuela, and deployed U.S. troops. This is an act of war. Any member of Congress who respects the Constitution should be outraged by this reckless escalation.
Americans do not want another foreign conflict launched without transparency or authorization. I will continue tracking developments, pray for our troops’ safety, and demand the briefing Congress is owed.”
U.S. Rep Mike Quigley – 5th District
“For months, Donald Trump has touted himself as the president for peace. Yet overnight, he committed a drastic act of war against Venezuela and has pledged that the United States will be ‘running’ Venezuela and is prepared to make additional strikes. The last thing the American people want is to be involved in another forever war. Maduro is a brutal dictator, but as a nation, we know that ousting a foreign ruler often makes things much worse. The people of Venezuela deserve to determine their own future — without foreign intervention.
Trump’s actions are a blatant violation of U.S. and international law. He is desperate to distract the American people from his failing domestic policies and numerous scandals.
I have called on Congress to reassert its Constitutional power with this administration for months. When Secretaries Hegseth and Rubio briefed Congress on military action against Venezuela, they blatantly lied about the administration’s intentions. Congress must demand that Trump receive Congressional authority before any additional actions in Venezuela. It is time to restore the authority of the Constitution.”
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