Maduro Arrest Ups Stakes for Congress’ Abdication of Power (2)

Jan. 3, 2026, 5:17 PM UTCUpdated: Jan. 3, 2026, 10:24 PM UTC

With the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — and assertion that the US is now “going to run” the country —President Donald Trump dramatically raised the stakes of his long-running disregard of Congress and assertions of executive power.

The new action initially appeared likely to bring a familiar response: acquiescence or outright support from a Republican-led Capitol. If that holds, it will mark another major step in Trump’s long-running effort to accumulate authority, with potentially global consequences, as a passive Congress cedes ground.

Democrats hope to counter that reality by forcing a war powers vote in the Senate next ...

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