Dems mock Trump, claim Maduro was captured same day DOJ had to explain Epstein file redactions

WASHINGTON, DC: In a sarcastic response to the military operation in Venezuela, Democrats Oversight Committee mocked President Donald Trump’s announcement of the capture of Nicolas Maduro. 

The committee took to social media on Saturday, January 3, to suggest the operation was a calculated distraction, noting that the arrest and large-scale strike occurred on the same day, the Department of Justice was scheduled to address heavily redacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Dems mock ‘coincidence’ of Maduro capture and Epstein deadline

“We are sure it’s just a coincidence, but today is the statuatory date for the DOJ to explain its redactions in the Epstein file productions,” the Oversight Democrats posted on X. 

They vowed to continue their push for transparency, stating, “We have not forgotten, and we won’t let up - regardless of the President’s new unconstitutional actions.”

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in the recently released records. 

Representative Ro Khanna, who helped lead the bipartisan push for the files, claimed that “the most important documents are missing” from what has been made public so far. 

His colleague, Republican Thomas Massie, added that the current document release “grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law” that the President had previously signed.

Details of Maduro's capture and military operation in Caracas

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in New York on Saturday, January 3, to face federal charges including d**g t*********g and working with terrorist organizations. 

The operation was carried out by the US Army's Delta Force that extracted the couple following a series of strikes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the mission on the CBS Evening News, asserting that "President Trump sets the terms" for how Venezuela will be handled moving forward.

Hegseth praised the move as a demonstration of strength and leadership by the administration. "Ultimately, we're going to control what happens next because of this brave decision. President Trump has shown American leadership," he told interviewer Tony Dokoupil. 

Trump announces US will direct Venezuela until stability returns

President Trump has made it clear that the United States will take a direct role in managing Venezuela for the time being. 

He announced that the US is "going to run the country" to ensure stability until a new government can be established. 

According to Trump, this control will remain in place until there is a "safe, proper and judicious transition" of power.