Local leaders react to the US attack on Venezuela, capture of Venezuelan President Maduro

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured and flown out of the country early Saturday morning after the United States carried out strikes in Venezuela.

Local leaders took to social media Saturday to express their feelings on the strike and capture of Maduro.

Congressman Buddy Carter posted on “X”:

Nicolas Maduro, an illegitimate leader, and his wife will now face American justice for narco terrorism, sending drugs into our country and killing our children.

This indictment is just the beginning.

We have the strongest fighting force in the world, and I thank the brave…

— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) January 3, 2026

Georgia Congress Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is retiring Monday, said on “X”:

I’ve served on the Homeland Security Committee for the past three years. I’m 100% for strong safe secure borders and stopping narco terrorists and cartels from trafficking deadly drugs and human trafficking into America.

Fentanyl is responsible for over 70% of U.S. drug…

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) January 3, 2026

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster posted on “X”:

Once again, President @realDonaldTrump has demonstrated amazing leadership and resolve in protecting America’s safety and national security. This morning’s capture of Venezuelan narco-dictator Nicolas Maduro is a victory for democracy and human rights in our hemisphere. Please…

— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) January 3, 2026

U.S. Representative Nancy Mace:

“President Trump took bold and decisive action today. His brilliant decision to have the brave members of our War department execute a dramatic operation to seize international narco terrorist Nicholas Maduro has made America safer and stronger than ever.

President Trump has once again shown the world what a strong, well led America can do: strike anywhere, any time, against its enemies.

The Dictator Maduro thought he could peddle drugs into America and support terrorists, but President Trump showed him otherwise.

I am so proud of President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, the men and women of the War Department, and our law enforcement officers who all worked together flawlessly to bring Maduro and his wife to the US to face justice.”

Rep. Nancy Mace

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr:

Senator Raphael Warnock:

“Americans do not want U.S. troops involved in yet another endless war or their government running another government.  Yet, that is what Donald Trump who, as a candidate promised to get us out of foreign wars, has announced.  “We will run” Venezuela.  We have seen that awful movie before. 

“To be sure, Nicolás Maduro is a dictator involved in the death dealing international drug business.  But there are many such bad actors around the world.  In fact, one who trafficked hundreds of tons of illegal drugs into the United States was recently pardoned by Donald Trump without any good explanation. 

“The recent attack on a sovereign nation in our own hemisphere is also without a good explanation.  In fact, this huge escalation with no clear strategy risks bringing more violence and instability to a nation of 28 million people, potentially causing more drug trafficking and more migration to the United States. This is another broken promise by an unfocused President who is more concerned with foreign oil and regime change than solving Americans’ most pressing economic challenges.  Americans want to know who is actually fighting for them? 

“As the voice of a large military state, I am relieved that no service members were killed and I am praying for the injured service members.  The Trump Administration owes the American people answers justifying this attack and explaining how the United States will “run” Venezuela.  It’s time for an increasingly feckless Congress to finally act and put this reckless President in check.”

Sen. Warnock

Representative Jesse Petrea:

Senator Tim Scott:

Maduro was and is a crook. He is a narcoterrorist who facilitated the deaths of thousands of Americans.He will receive more due process than the children who lost their lives to fentanyl and other deadly drugs.Any ousting of an illegitimate regime is a serious decision by any administration, and this one will now reside where it belongs: with the people of Venezuela.I hope this action sends a clear message that killing thousands of Americans through fentanyl will have legal and lethal consequences.

Sen. Tim Scott on X

Senator Lindsay Graham:

As we celebrate this amazing achievement by our military commanded by @POTUS, we must remember the consequences of what has happened. An evil, narcoterrorist dictator has fallen, creating a path for freedom for the wonderful, highly intelligent, hard working people of Venezuela.…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2026