President Trump is expected to meet with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday as lawmakers in both chambers press for clearer information about the weekend operation in Venezuela and the United States’ role going forward. The meeting follows a lengthy closed-door briefing on Monday in which senior administration officials updated congressional leaders, highlighting a sharp partisan split over the military action that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Monday’s briefing marked the first chance for top party leaders and members of key congressional committees to question officials about the mission, which lawmakers said was carried out without prior notice to Congress.
After the session, Republicans argued that the president acted within his constitutional authority. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the operation did not constitute a war, noting that the U.S. has no troops occupying Venezuela. While acknowledging Congress’s power to declare war, he emphasized the president’s broad authority as commander in chief.
The briefing was led by senior members of the administration’s national security team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. Attendees included the “Gang of Eight,” along with bipartisan leaders from committees overseeing foreign affairs, foreign relations, and armed services.
Trump’s appearance before House Republicans on Tuesday comes as the party prepares for the midterm elections and works to retain control of the House. Speaker Johnson said a broader briefing for all members of Congress is scheduled for Wednesday, when additional details about future plans in the region are expected.
Despite the briefings, divisions remain over Trump’s approach to Venezuela. Johnson said the operation was not intended as regime change but as pressure to alter the behavior of the current leadership. He added that while Trump has spoken about the U.S. overseeing Venezuela during a transition period, there are no expectations of deploying U.S. troops or deepening direct involvement beyond encouraging reforms by the interim government.
Some lawmakers said the briefing did not provide clear answers about whether U.S. engagement in Venezuela could expand. Republicans largely expressed support for the president, underscoring Trump’s strong backing within his party. Democrats, however, warned that the operation represented an overreach of executive power and could draw the U.S. into a prolonged conflict Trump had pledged to avoid.
Rep. Gregory Meeks criticized what he described as efforts by the president to sidestep Congress, arguing that lawmakers have failed to assert their constitutional role. Speaker Johnson rejected that claim, insisting that Congress’s Article I powers had not been violated.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the administration’s plans remained unclear, warning that the briefing raised more questions than it answered and offered little reassurance about limits on future U.S. actions elsewhere.
The briefing was the first of what lawmakers expect will be several as Congress seeks greater clarity on developments in Venezuela and the administration’s next steps.
