Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said the Trump administration’s military operation in Venezuela could create a dangerous precedent—one that other nations might use to justify their own invasions.
Speaking on The View on Wednesday, Greene argued that if the U.S. can claim a rationale for moving militarily against Venezuela’s leadership, it becomes harder for Washington to draw firm lines against actions by other major powers.
“If it’s ok to go into Venezuela and Maduro, then why are we telling China you can’t go and take Taiwan? Why are we telling Russia you can’t go take Ukraine? Who are we to tell any country anything?” she said.
The comments came after a U.S. raid last week—codenamed Operation Absolute—to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilla Flores. At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during the operation, according to the report.
Why It Matters
The U.S. action in Venezuela—along with the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic—has raised fears of heightened confrontation between Washington and its adversaries.
Russia criticized the tanker seizure as an “illegal use of force,” warning it could worsen tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region and lower the threshold for the use of force against commercial shipping. The Russian foreign ministry said: “The result of the Marinera incident can only be a further increase in military-political tension in the Euro-Atlantic area, as well as a visible lowering of the ‘threshold for the use of force’ against peaceful shipping.”
What To Know
Greene said the Venezuela military operation is a poor fit for voters aligned with “America First,” arguing that the rationale being presented does not resonate.
She acknowledged drug trafficking is a serious problem, but contended Venezuela is not a leading source of drugs entering the United States.
“Drugs killing Americans is a serious issue,” she said, adding that “Venezuela’s not even in the top 10 when it comes to drugs being imported in the U.S.”
“So you can’t hold Maduro accountable and not hold Mexican cartels accountable who are number one,” she added.
In an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday, Greene emphasized that domestic priorities should come first and accused Washington of repeating a familiar pattern.
“This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesn’t serve the American people, but actually serves the big corporations, the banks, and the oil executives,” she said. “I want to see domestic policy be the priority that helps Americans afford life after four disastrous years of the Biden administration.”
Her remarks follow her resignation from Congress in November, after she reportedly broke with Trump on several major issues, including foreign policy.
Greene has also criticized U.S. involvement abroad in recent months, including warning against escalation involving Iran, criticizing weapons sent to Ukraine, and calling Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide while urging lawmakers to support ending weapons supplies to the Israeli military.
Other Republicans have also questioned the administration’s motives in Venezuela. Representative Thomas Massie wrote on X: “Wake up MAGA. VENEZUELA is not about drugs; it’s about OIL and REGIME CHANGE. This is not what we voted for.”
He added: “It’s not American oil. It’s Venezuelan oil. Oil companies entered into risky deals to develop oil, and the deals were canceled by a prior Venezuelan government. What’s happening: lives of US soldiers are being risked to make those oil companies (not Americans) more profitable.”
What People Are Saying
Greene told NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday: “This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesn’t serve the American people, but actually serves the big corporations, the banks, and the oil executives. I want to see domestic policy be the priority that helps Americans afford life after four disastrous years of the Biden administration.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
The Venezuelan government said in a statement: “Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory.”
What Happens Next
Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the United States on federal drug trafficking charges and have pleaded not guilty. Trump said his administration intends to “run” Venezuela for the foreseeable future.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has scheduled a March 10 special election to fill the seat Greene vacated.
