Scoop: Trump orders more Venezuela briefings for Congress

President Trump is directing staff to brief more members of Congress on his administration's aggressive anti-narcotics tactics in the Caribbean and Pacific, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The unprecedented military maneuvers off Venezuela and the continual extra-judicial killings of unarmed suspects —at least 64 of whom have died in 15 boat sinkings— have sparked bipartisan calls for more intel on the White House's decision making.In recent days, Trump has told staff to conduct more briefings in response to complaints he has been receiving from lawmakers, according to two sources familiar with the discussions."I keep getting calls about this from congressmen," Trump explained in a recent meeting with top officials.Zoom in: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has provided at least one briefing where the issue was addressed to the "Gang of Eight," the majority and minority leaders of both chambers of Congress as well as the chairs and vice-chairs of the Intelligence committees, three sources told Axios.That circle is expected to be expanded to include more lawmakers, which could widen to include eight more members of Congress or perhaps more."We're confident in the intelligence we have and when it's been presented by Rubio to the Gang of Eight, they support it," an official said. "What Congress doesn't support is not knowing about it."Rubio, with Pentagon lawyers in tow, is scheduled Wednesday to brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill, a source told Axios.Catch up quick: A GOP-only briefing with select senators last week sparked outrage from Democrats.Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Intel committee, called the move "indefensible and dangerous."Republicans also pushed back, arguing that briefings of that nature should be bipartisan.Meanwhile, a bipartisan briefing the very next day for the House's Armed Services panel left many Democrats unsatisfied with the administration's legal explanations for their actions.Zoom out: Since taking office, Trump has taken a keen interest in Latin America, particular the drug cartels and specifically the Nicolas Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela.The U.S. has dispatched an unprecedented armada off of Venezuela's shores, partly to interdict drug-running vessels and partly to pressure Maduro to leave office.Before Trump was even inaugurated, his team was calling for regime change in Venezuela, Axios first reported.Maduro was indicted by the U.S. in 2020 as a cartel leader in charge of a narco state, and Trump this year doubled the bounty calling for his capture to $50 million.Behind the scenes: Recent media reports have indicated the Trump administration plans to soon start striking targets directly in Venezuela, but the president has yet to give the green light, and officials say there are no plans to imminently move forward."It's the president's decision and the president's decision only," a second official said. "And he has not made that decision."Officials say there are no plans for strikes inside neighboring Colombia despite Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) statement last week that "military operations" could take place there.The intrigue: NBC reported Monday that the Pentagon and CIA are ramping up training for a future operation to strike drug cartels inside Mexico. U.S. officials did not deny the accuracy of the reporting but downplayed the likelihood of unilateral action without the support of the Mexican government and its president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo."Sheinbaum is an ally and the president [Trump] values her as such," said a third official.

Comments

World news

Canadian military wants mobilization plan in place to boost reserves to 400,000 personnel

National Post

Oklahoma sex offender and ‘10 Most Wanted’ suspect arrested in New York 13 years after faking disappearance, officials say

about 2 hours ago

At 78, Patti Smith is still rock’s renaissance woman

The i Paper

MAGA conspiracy theorist and Trump influencer Laura Loomer now credentialed to ‘cover’ the Pentagon after media purge: report

about 4 hours ago

Israeli military’s top lawyer arrested after leaking footage of soldiers ‘abusing’ Palestinian detainee

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Scoop: U.S. seeks UN approval for Gaza security force with broad two-year mandate

Scoop: Trump pours millions into Virginia, New Jersey races

Scoop: U.S. offered Hamas militants safe passage out of Israel-controlled Gaza zone

Scoop: Stefanik set to launch bid for N.Y. governor in '26

Scoop: U.S. pushing to finalize plan for international Gaza security force

Scoop: GOP senator pushes Vance for help on Trump

Scoop: White House pulls Joel Rayburn's nomination for top State job

Scoop: Graham Platner's campaign manager and longtime friend quits

Scoop: Homan says fentanyl as WMD "at least" merits discussion

Scoop: Infuriated Democrats ramp up battle with Mike Johnson over seating Grijalva

Scoop: Democrats press Trump on preventing Israel from annexing West Bank

Scoop: Ted Cruz's phone records targeted by Jack Smith in Trump invstigation

Scoop: Schumer cancels Southeast Asia trip amid shutdown

Scoop: Dems plot Fetterman ouster

Scoop: Dozens of Democratic House candidates won't commit to backing Hakeem Jeffries

Scoop: Trump, allies to boost GOP candidate for N.J. governor

Scoop: Direct meeting between Trump envoys and Hamas leaders sealed Gaza deal

Scoop: Trump administration warns of "insufficient funds" for food stamps if shutdown continues

Scoop: Trump plans leaders summit on Gaza during Egypt visit next week

Scoop: Dominion Voting sold to company run by ex-GOP election official

World news

Canadian military wants mobilization plan in place to boost reserves to 400,000 personnel

Leafs left frustrated despite comeback win

Ukraine-Russia war latest: UK sends Kyiv more Storm Shadows after Trump accuses Putin of secret nuclear tests

Illinois man charged over claims he threatened Trump and others in Instagram video

Oklahoma sex offender and ‘10 Most Wanted’ suspect arrested in New York 13 years after faking disappearance, officials say

At 78, Patti Smith is still rock’s renaissance woman

The Eleventh Hour is Salman Rushdie’s haunting reckoning with mortality

BBC accused of misleading viewers with Trump Capitol clip

My 2% mortgage ends next year – how low will rates have gone by then?

South Korean president calls for aggressive AI spending in budget speech

Typhoon leaves at least 2 dead, traps people on roofs and submerges cars

Your ultimate guide to COP30: Why is it so controversial and who's attending?

Life's a beach: Why William's in Brazil this week - and what he wants his legacy to be

Russian 'suicide drone' launches quadruple this year

'I had the copper coil - but woke in agony and was stunned by what doctors said'

Maple Leafs roar back to stun Penguins 4-3

Why Russia is so desperate to win the battle of Pokrovsk and what happens next

MAGA conspiracy theorist and Trump influencer Laura Loomer now credentialed to ‘cover’ the Pentagon after media purge: report

Israeli military’s top lawyer arrested after leaking footage of soldiers ‘abusing’ Palestinian detainee

‘She’s out’: Nancy Pelosi expected to quit politics after California votes on redistricting this week: report

Why November SNAP benefits may not be available for several weeks or months

In ‘Kyoto,’ Seeking Consensus to Save the Earth but Veering Off Course

Alleged B.C. drug trafficker appears in court

Calgary university students stage walkout in support of Alberta teachers

Manitoba legislature session may be extended to pass 72-hour detention bill

George Banks, one of America’s most notorious mass murderers, dies at 83

Trump backs Cuomo for NYC mayor: "He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!"

Meet the underground squad with the lives of countless citizens in their hands

Calgary Remembers: Field of Crosses honours Canada’s fallen soldiers for 17th year

The North Pacific heat ‘blob’ is back and experts are worried about marine life

Blazes in Glenora, Belgravia the latest fires to damage Edmonton infill homes

Baby Emmanuel’s father Jake Haro sentenced to decades in prison for 7-month-old son’s murder in faked disappearance case

Karl Rove gives his predictions for the key races this week - including one upset

What Rachel Reeves wants to tell you about income tax but can’t until the Budget

How not to hate your partner after children, by a parenting expert

With Military Buildup Against Venezuela, the U.S. Eyes Cuba as Well

Trump just threatened to invade a new country

A temporary SNAP lifeline

Scoop: U.S. seeks UN approval for Gaza security force with broad two-year mandate

Thanksgiving travel at risk if shutdown drags on, U.S. Travel Association warns

Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico

Rome tower collapse miracle as trapped worker pulled from rubble after HOURS

Ottawa urged to stop weapons flow to Sudan as Carney prepares UAE visit

Push for Richmond property tax reassessments amid uncertainty around Cowichan case

New Brunswick opens new sexual violence investigative unit

Mother shoots, kills escaped research monkey to ‘protect’ her children

Police in 2 B.C. communities warn of sewing needles in Halloween candy

Toronto woman who took dangerous dog to playground where it mauled child facing prison

Lindsay Buziak’s mother pleads for info about daughter’s 2008 murder

How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario’s ad blitz against U.S. tariffs

OpenAI and Amazon sign $38 billion deal for AI computing power

Kash Patel releases images of suspect as he doubles down on claims FBI stopped ISIS-inspired Halloween attack

Penguins sent to live on ‘geriatric island’ as zoos and aquariums grapple with growing problem

Trump tariffs on pasta could soon top 100 percent: ‘Double the price’

Beloved Six Flags amusement park closes after 50 years of stomach-churning thrills

Majority of Americans believe a political candidate will be assassinated within 5 years, poll finds

Groundbreaking pig organ transplant trial gets underway