Trump’s Venezuela raid draws early praise from supporters, tempered by unease

Days after U.S. forces carried out a surprise raid in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to U.S. custody, many supporters of President Donald Trump say they approve of the operation’s speed and decisiveness. Interviews conducted by The Associated Press across several U.S. states show early backing within Trump’s political base, though it is accompanied by caution over the risk of prolonged military involvement abroad.

The operation, which U.S. officials have not publicly detailed in full, marked one of the most dramatic foreign interventions of Trump’s presidency. It has reopened debates within his “Make America Great Again” coalition about the limits of American power, the promise of “America First,” and whether the raid aligns with Trump’s long-standing pledge to avoid new foreign wars.

Initial enthusiasm, guarded expectations

For some Trump voters, the action fits neatly into their view of the president as a leader willing to act decisively where others hesitate. Aaron Tobin, a Detroit-area Trump supporter, described the raid as historic and said he expected it to become the subject of books and films. “I am thrilled,” he told AP, reflecting a sentiment echoed by several voters who praised the operation’s apparent precision and speed.

That enthusiasm, however, is not universal or unconditional. While Trump has publicly said that his voters are “thrilled” and that the raid represented exactly what they supported at the ballot box, interviews suggest a more measured response. Many backers said they support the president “for now,” while stressing that their approval depends on what follows.

Paul Bonner, 67, speaking while browsing at a Trump merchandise store in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, said his support remains provisional. “I support him so far,” he said. “Until he messes up, I support him.”

Tension with campaign promises

The raid has underscored a broader tension between Trump’s campaign rhetoric and the realities of governing. Trump repeatedly argued during his campaigns that the United States should avoid costly overseas entanglements and focus resources at home. The decision to use military force in Venezuela — without prior congressional authorization — has therefore unsettled some voters who took those promises at face value.

That unease has been sharpened by other domestic pressures weighing on Trump’s coalition, including rising living costs and lingering frustrations over health insurance policy changes. For some supporters, foreign intervention risks diverting attention and resources from economic issues they see as more urgent.

Conflicted reactions in the South

In Philadelphia, Mississippi, 24-year-old Chase Lewis said the news of the raid caught him by surprise. While he expressed sympathy for Venezuelans living under an authoritarian government, he questioned the broader consequences for the United States.

“It’s good that they’re finally freed from that dictatorship,” Lewis said, referring to Venezuelans, “but I don’t know what it’s going to cost us.”

Lewis, an electrician apprentice, said he worries about friends serving in the military and does not want them drawn into another conflict. He noted that Trump campaigned against starting new wars and described the raid, depending on perspective, as “an act of war.” He also said his priorities remain domestic, including lowering costs for young Americans and improving conditions for veterans.

Applause and caution in Colorado

In Castle Rock, Colorado, reactions among Trump voters ranged from enthusiastic support to wary acceptance. Travis Garcia, 45, who works in home remodeling, said he viewed the capture of Maduro as a clear positive. Leaning against his pickup truck, he argued that decisive action was necessary. “If we’re not going to do it, who’s going to do it?” he said, citing concerns about drug trafficking and regional instability.

Garcia said the operation reinforced his perception of Trump as a leader who follows through on his words and projects strength on the world stage.

Others emphasized humanitarian or symbolic aspects of the raid. Mary Lussier, 48, a flight attendant from nearby Larkspur, said she was struck by images of Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s removal. She said fewer authoritarian leaders would make the world “a little bit less of a bad place” and indicated she could support similar operations — provided they did not lead to prolonged fighting.

Still, Lussier and others stressed that their admiration hinged largely on the mission’s apparent efficiency. The prospect of U.S. troops becoming entangled in a long conflict was a clear red line.

Patrick McCans, 66, a retired engineer, described the intervention as “a little contrary to what he campaigned on.” Standing outside a grocery store, he said he would prefer diplomatic approaches but concluded that, in this case, force “might have been warranted.” Like others interviewed, he said his support would erode quickly if the United States were drawn deeper into Venezuela.

Support tied to outcomes

Across interviews conducted by AP, a common thread emerged: approval of the raid is closely tied to its limited scope. Voters praised what they described as the operation’s “smoothness” and “class,” but few expressed interest in sustained U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s political future.

Notably, most supporters did not focus on Venezuela’s oil reserves or other strategic assets. Instead, they framed the raid as a blow against authoritarianism, drug trafficking, and regional instability, while expressing hope that it might reduce migration pressures toward the United States.

For now, Trump appears to have secured early backing from much of his base. Whether that support endures may depend less on the raid itself than on what comes next — and whether the United States can avoid becoming enmeshed in a longer, costlier conflict.