5:10Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer speaks following Senate votes on competing healthcare plans, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, December 11, 2025. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer commented on Sunday regarding the shocking U.S. assault on Venezuela, asserting that the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was illegal.
"Maduro is an atrocious individual, but responding to lawlessness with more lawlessness is unacceptable, and that’s precisely what has occurred here," Schumer stated during an interview with "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos. "There is no legitimate authority… they did not merely engage ships off the coast. They entered Venezuela, bombed both civilian and military sites, and their actions constitute a breach of the law by proceeding without Congressional approval."
In spite of President Donald Trump’s assertions on Saturday that the United States was "going to manage" Venezuela "until we can establish a safe, proper, and judicious transition," the Democratic senator informed Stephanopoulos that "nobody knows" who is genuinely governing Venezuela at this moment.
"The American public this morning, George, is puzzled and fearful about the president’s proposals," Schumer remarked. "History has shown us that when America attempts regime change and nation building in this manner, it is the American populace that bears the burden, both in lives and finances."
Schumer voiced doubts regarding the capability of U.S. oil firms to restore Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, a claim made by Trump following the strike.
"It appears to be a rather hasty operation, at least based on what they have communicated to the public," Schumer commented. "These oil fields have been neglected for years. We lack clarity on how long it will take, the financial implications, and whether military personnel will be needed to secure the oil fields during the process."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks with ABC News while appearing on This Week, Jan. 4, 2026.ABC News
Schumer further criticized Trump’s engagement in Venezuela after his repeated commitment to steer clear of foreign conflicts.
"The American people are concerned that this is leading to an unending war. The very issue that Donald Trump campaigned against repeatedly was the avoidance of perpetual wars. And currently, we are heading straight into one, without any constraints or discussions," he contended.
Trump’s announcement comes after an overnight operation in which a U.S. military extraction unit, supported by over 150 military aircraft, entered Venezuela’s capital of Caracas and reached the location where Maduro and his spouse were located. The team subsequently transported the couple to the USS Iwo Jima warship before bringing them to New York City, where Maduro is facing allegations of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.
Here are additional highlights from Schumer’s interview.
The expired Obamacare insurance premiums
"We enacted legislation to extend them for three years, but the Republicans obstructed it at every opportunity. They are a mess. They are a mess. [Senate Majority Leader] John Thune has stated he will not extend them. [House Speaker Mike] Johnson has said they will not … so it’s the Republicans [who] have created this chaos. If they can devise a solution, we are willing to collaborate with anyone to reduce the costs."
If there will be another government shutdown
"No. There are two distinct paths here. Democrats aim to finance the appropriations, the spending bills through 2026. We seek to collaborate in a bicameral, bipartisan manner to achieve this. The encouraging news is that our Republican appropriators are cooperating with us, and we are making significant progress in that respect."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com