President Donald Trump and his aides have said that the military operation against Venezuela was nothing more than a law enforcement operation specifically aimed at getting the leader Nicolás Maduro to bring him to "justice" for alleged crimes. In a Truth Social post, however, Trump revealed that he had planned for a "previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed; however, all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes."
Trump was immediately mocked for giving up the game and admitting that it wasn't about removing Maduro if there was a plan for a "second wave of attacks." Critics also couldn't help but notice that this announcement came after the U.S. Senate voted to advance legislation against Trump's actions on Venezuela. The debate on the full bill is expected next week. Trump will need congressional authorization for continued military operations.
"He put this out after the Senate voted against WPR," said national security analyst Marcy Wheeler. "So he's also bragging that he's not going to defy the Senate. Snatching victory from defeat."
"Second time wave? I was told this wasn’t a military action but a routine arrest," said Professor Michael Siegel.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) took a victory lap after the announcement, writing on X, "To those who wonder whether War Powers Resolutions are worth it: a bipartisan majority in the Senate advanced my Venezuela WPR yesterday and less than 24 hours later, Trump called off a second wave of attacks. The Senate is making it clear that Americans don’t want forever wars."
"This is an open admission that attacking Venezuela was an act of war done for purposes other than self-defense — in other words, a confession to the crime of aggression," said Center for International Policy VP of government affairs Dylan Williams in an X post.
"What’s notable about Trump’s words too is his intention to enact massive US industrial policy regarding the American oil industry and Venezuela — while the world has an oil glut. Any industry subsidies would likely come from US taxpayer money," wrote Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times.
Wall Street Journal national security reporter Alex Ward noted, "The military assets remain, of course, but odd move to remove one aspect of the leverage over Rodriguez the admin had been touting for days."
