Trump calls Democrats 'weak' and 'stupid' amid criticism of Venezuela strike
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump wasted no time firing back at critics of his surprise military strike on Venezuela, labeling Democrats "weak, stupid people" for questioning the legality of the operation that captured Nicolas Maduro.
In a phone interview with 'Fox & Friends Weekend' on Saturday, January 3, Trump dismissed concerns that the operation bypassed Congress, arguing instead that his administration delivered a decisive blow against s***gling and regional instability.
Trump claims 'they're trying to save themselves'
Asked about accusations that the raid was unconstitutional, Trump framed the backlash as politically motivated.
“These are weak, stupid people, and they’re trying to save themselves from almost destroying our country,” Trump said. “If I didn’t get elected… I don’t even think we would have a country right now. We were heading down the path of destruction.”
Trump briefly cited domestic indicators such as inflation and economic stability before returning to the Venezuela operation, presenting it as evidence of restored American strength and leadership on the global stage.
Jim McGovern claims the Venezuela operation was 'illegal'
Without authorization from Congress, and with the vast majority of Americans opposed to military action, Trump just launched an unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela.
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 3, 2026
He says we don’t have enough money for healthcare for Americans—but somehow we have unlimited funds for war??
The president’s remarks came in response to criticism from several Democratic lawmakers. Rep Jim McGovern (D-MA) wrote on X that the strike was launched “without authorization from Congress” and labeled it “unjustified” and “illegal.”
McGovern also questioned the administration’s spending priorities, contrasting military action abroad with domestic funding debates, including healthcare and social programs.
Trump claims Democrats only complain
Trump rejected those arguments, praising the operation as both effective and necessary.
“As far as last night was concerned, it was really genius. What they did is genius,” he said. “Democrats… all they do is complain. They should say, you know what, we did a great job.”
He linked the mission directly to border security and d**g enforcement, arguing that taking Maduro into custody would disrupt n***otics flows into the United States.
The charges against Nicolas Maduro
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 3, 2026
Attorney General Pam Bondi reinforced the administration’s position by announcing formal indictments against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Bondi said that the couple faces charges including “n**co-t***orism conspiracy, c***ine importation conspiracy, and possession of machineguns and destructive devices,” casting the operation as a law enforcement action carried out to bring alleged international criminals into US custody.
