Democrat Sen. Adam Schiff launches a partisan attack on President Trump’s decisive strikes against Venezuelan narco-terrorists, claiming “something doesn’t add up”.
Story Snapshot
- The Trump administration conducts over 20 precision strikes on drug boats linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.
- Sen. Schiff pushes War Powers Resolution to block operations, alleging legal overreach despite the Senate rejecting similar limits twice.
- Strikes target narco-terrorists poisoning Americans with drugs, amid CIA covert ops authorized by Trump to dismantle Maduro-protected networks.
- Venezuelan dictator Maduro cries “invasion” as the U.S. deploys 10,000 troops, warships, and drones to secure the Caribbean from cartel violence.
Schiff’s Partisan Challenge to Anti-Drug Campaign
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) publicly questioned President Trump’s military operations against Venezuelan-linked drug vessels on December 11, 2025. Schiff argued the rapid escalation lacks legal basis under War Powers and smells of regime change against Nicolás Maduro. He began drafting a resolution to halt strikes without congressional approval. This comes after the Senate rejected two prior attempts to curb Trump’s authority. Schiff’s move aligns with Democratic efforts to undermine executive action on border security and drug interdiction, core priorities for American families plagued by fentanyl deaths.
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Trump’s Strikes Target Narco-Terrorist Threat
U.S. forces launched the first strike on September 1-2, 2025, sinking a Venezuelan boat carrying Tren de Aragua (TDA) members, killing 11. Trump designated TDA a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing its role in mass murder, drug trafficking, and sex trafficking. A second strike on September 15 killed 3 more. By late October, 21-22 operations expanded to the Eastern Pacific, eliminating over 80 traffickers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the actions, comparing narco-terrorists to al-Qaeda. These strikes protect Americans from drugs that kill tens of thousands yearly.
Trump revealed authorization for CIA covert operations inside Venezuela, intensifying pressure on Maduro’s regime. U.S. assets include 10,000 troops, eight warships, B-52 bombers, and MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Caribbean. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled more actions ahead. Despite Maduro’s accusations of “illegal aggression,” the operations disrupt networks shipping poisons to U.S. shores, over 200 miles from strikes but en route to American territory.
Timeline of Escalating Operations
Mid-August 2025 saw U.S. naval buildup near Venezuela. Strikes accelerated: September 19 killed 3; October 3 claimed 4 with massive drug loads; October 14 and 24 took out 12 more, including a night strike on a TDA vessel; October 21 marked the first Pacific hit. Early November saw Senate defeats for anti-Trump resolutions. The campaign shifted from episodic to sustained, integrating naval, air, and covert elements. Trump vowed to “hunt” traffickers, framing vessels as loaded with enough drugs to kill 25,000 to 50,000 Americans.
Schiff warns of “full-fledged war” risks, but facts show targeted anti-drug efforts. Maduro labels strikes “massacres,” claiming they kill fishermen, while allies like Colombia and Trinidad probe civilian deaths. These protests echo leftist narratives downplaying cartel dangers. Trump’s approach echoes successful pressure campaigns, including past oil tanker seizures, prioritizing American safety over Maduro’s sovereignty complaints.
Sen. Adam Schiff on Trump administration’s Venezuela escalation: "Something doesn’t add up" https://t.co/bG2oZpYQXO
— The Hill (@thehill) December 11, 2025
Broader Implications for U.S. Security
The operations counter Maduro’s long-standing protection of gangs like TDA and ELN, amid decades of tense U.S.-Venezuela ties under Chávez and Maduro. Sanctions and prior buildups set the stage. Short-term, the strikes heighten confrontation risks but save lives by stemming drug flows. Long-term, they deter narco-terrorism without ground troops, preserving congressional war powers through Senate checks. Critics like Schiff risk emboldening cartels, but Trump’s resolve upholds limited government abroad while securing borders at home. Regional mistrust grows, yet American interests prevail against globalist hesitancy.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/event/2025-US-Strikes-on-Venezuelan-Vessels
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_military_strikes_on_alleged_drug_traffickers
https://www.aol.com/articles/schiff-trump-administration-venezuela-escalation-164017304.html
