Congressional leaders from Idaho and Washington split along partisan divides in their comments on President Donald Trump’s attack in Venezuela that led to the arrest of its president, Nicolás Maduro.

Republicans generally supported the move while Democrats expressed serious reservations and criticized the president for not seeking authorization from Congress.

Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed support for the operation, saying in a written statement that the intervention was justified.

Risch said, “Nicolas Maduro and his regime posed a grave threat to America. He facilitated the flow of deadly drugs into our country, allowed U.S. adversaries to establish a foothold alarmingly close to our shores, and destabilized a region too close to home for comfort.”

Risch didn’t comment on Trump’s statement that the U.S. will run Venezuela pending a transfer of power but said Congress has a role to play even though the president took the action without consent or apparent notification of the legislative branch.

“As always, Congress has a constitutional responsibility to review all kinetic actions and ensure proper oversight,” Risch said. “As this process moves forward, I will continue to support efforts that protect America’s security, reinforce accountability, and promote stability in the Western Hemisphere.”

Patty Murray, a Democratic senator from Washington, called the prospect of the U.S. running Venezuela “outrageous” and criticized Trump’s decision to launch the attack without approval from Congress. The vice chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Committee called it unconstitutional, reckless and slapdash without consideration of the longer term risks or costs.

“The American people didn’t ask to start a war with Venezuela,” Murray said in a written statement. “They didn’t ask for an indefinite and costly occupation of another country and they didn’t ask for ‘boots on the ground,’ their sons and daughters put in harm’s way. All they asked for were lower prices at the grocery store. Only Congress can authorize war and I absolutely will not support a large-scale military conflict in Venezuela or a dangerous and expensive occupation. What the President has done is unconstitutional, reckless, and will have far-reaching effects well beyond last night’s strikes.”

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, called Maduro’s arrest welcome news.

“For years, Maduro’s leadership perpetuated violence, corruption and drug trafficking that harmed the Venezuelan people,” said Crapo’s written statement. “The influx of illegal drugs from Venezuela further posed serious threats to the American people.”

The full statements from Idaho and Washington congressional members are below.

Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho

“Nicolas Maduro and his regime posed a grave threat to America. He facilitated the flow of deadly drugs into our country, allowed U.S. adversaries to establish a foothold alarmingly close to our shores, and destabilized a region too close to home for comfort.

“Through decisive strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Maduro, President Trump has taken meaningful action to protect our national security and eliminate a serious threat to the American people. These actions have the potential to provide a path toward peace and stability in Venezuela and across our hemisphere.

“As always, Congress has a constitutional responsibility to review all kinetic actions and ensure proper oversight. As this process moves forward, I will continue to support efforts that protect America’s security, reinforce accountability, and promote stability in the Western Hemisphere.”

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington

“The American people didn’t ask to start a war with Venezuela. They didn’t ask for an indefinite and costly occupation of another country and they didn’t ask for ‘boots on the ground,’ their sons and daughters put in harm’s way. All they asked for were lower prices at the grocery store. Only Congress can authorize war and I absolutely will not support a large-scale military conflict in Venezuela or a dangerous and expensive occupation. What the President has done is unconstitutional, reckless, and will have far-reaching effects well beyond last night’s strikes.

“The President has provided no legitimate justification for these unauthorized strikes nor any kind of long-term strategy for how he will deal with the fallout of this slapdash regime change—and he must now explain his unhinged statements that we will ‘run’ Venezuela. The American people can see for themselves how dishonest and cynical this entire venture is—we’re supposed to believe drug trafficking warrants the use of military force to topple a foreign government in one instance and then merits a full pardon for the former President of Honduras who was lawfully convicted of the same crime? And we should all be eyes wide open about the potential for self-enrichment and corruption by the Trump administration when it comes to profiting off Venezuela’s oil. This is not about law and order, because if it were, Trump wouldn’t have withheld these plans from Congress, and it is not about actually helping Americans suffering from drug addiction.

“Maduro is a corrupt and oppressive dictator—that much has always been clear. But what stops China or Russia from making similar claims about foreign leaders they don’t like and then using military force to overthrow them? This kind of careless use of military force threatens serious global instability—and none of that is good for Americans here at home.

“There needs to be serious oversight and accountability here. Trump administration officials must come before Congress and publicly explain their rationale and—importantly—just what exactly they think happens next here. Republican leaders should not just shrug their shoulders and let the President bomb whoever he wants on hardly more than a whim—they must join Democrats in pressing for serious accountability and insisting that the use of military force be authorized by Congress.

“If this escalates into a prolonged conflict of any sort, you can bet it won’t be Trump’s family putting their lives on the line—the American people do not want to be dragged into another costly foreign war with no real justification. It is outrageous for a President who is tanking our economy here at home to suggest that the American taxpayer spend a fortune to ‘run’ another country while doing nothing to make life better in America. I opposed the war in Iraq from the outset—and the parallels here are glaring. I will similarly oppose any war in Venezuela. I refuse to put the lives of servicemembers at further risk, and I refuse to saddle our children with yet another costly war for no good reason.”

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho

“The arrest and indictment of Nicolas Maduro is welcome news. For years, Maduro’s leadership perpetuated violence, corruption and drug trafficking that harmed the Venezuelan people. The influx of illegal drugs from Venezuela further posed serious threats to the American people. I commend the Trump Administration and the brave men and women who carried out this successful operation to bring Maduro to the United States to face justice for his crimes. This marks a critical step toward restoring democracy and stability in the region.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

“President Trump’s actions today with Venezuela raise more questions than answers. Is America going to be involved in running and stabilizing Venezuela? Today’s actions raise many questions about the stability of the region and our policy towards South America.”

Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho

“Nicolas Maduro is a narco-terrorist authoritarian leader responsible for the deaths of countless Americans. He has faced charges in the United States since 2020 and has clung to power through sham elections not recognized by much of the civilized world. At his direction, illicit drugs and violent cartel members have poured into our country, devastating communities and families. I commend President Trump’s bold leadership to protect American lives and our military for their bravery, precision, and professionalism. At this time, I pray for the Venezuelan people hungry for freedom.”

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho

“Narcoterrorist Nicolas Maduro is no friend to the United States. Our country is now safer thanks to President Trump’s decisive action in carrying out a successful military operation.

“The Maduro regime bears responsibility for flooding American communities with deadly drugs and dangerous cartel members, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of American citizens.

“God bless our brave military members who led this heroic operation.”

Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Washington

“Today is a great day for the people of Venezuela and the security of America and the Western Hemisphere. Venezuelan dictator Maduro is a dangerous narco-terrorist who is now where he belongs - in a jail cell. I applaud President Trump, Secretary Rubio and the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have made the American people safer today.”