Politics
Democrats Seethe Over Trump’s Bold Venezuela Strike as Emergency Caucus Looms
WASHINGTON – House Democrats are preparing for an emergency caucus meeting Sunday afternoon as anger builds over President Donald Trump’s unexpected military action in Venezuela.
The strike, carried out early Saturday, ended with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife taken into U.S. custody. Several Democrats say the White House cut Congress out of the decision, gave lawmakers little to no warning, and pushed the country toward another long overseas fight.
The mission, described by some administration officials as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved Delta Force troops entering Maduro’s compound in Caracas after U.S. airstrikes hit select military targets.
Maduro, who has faced U.S. narco-terrorism charges since 2020, was transported to New York and is being held ahead of a planned Monday court appearance. From Mar-a-Lago, Trump celebrated the operation and said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela while moving to access its oil reserves. Democrats say the move looks like executive overreach.
Democrats Largely Aligned, and Angry
Senior Democrats quickly condemned the operation as reckless and unlawful. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a joint statement demanding immediate briefings for congressional leaders. They called the lack of consultation “outrageous and dangerous.”
Jeffries said Maduro has mistreated Venezuelans for years, but warned that military force without Congress can set off regional instability and leave the U.S. stuck without a clear exit plan.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the raid a breach of Venezuelan sovereignty that could shake the wider region. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the action appears to violate international law. He also accused the administration of uneven briefings, sharing details with Republicans while keeping Democrats out of the loop.
Some centrist Democrats also raised red flags. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), co-chair of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus and a representative of a large Venezuelan exile community, said Maduro’s removal is “good news.” Still, she criticized the process, warning that leaving Congress out could prolong unrest.
Behind closed doors, a few Democrats from competitive districts complained that the party’s near-total opposition could make Democrats look weak. One member told POLITICO that Maduro was a dictator, and now he’s gone, so the public may not want to hear procedural complaints. Even so, the mood heading into Sunday’s meeting remains one of sharp blowback.
Warnings of Another Iraq, and No Clear Next Step
Many Democrats compared the raid to the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq war, saying the country risks repeating old mistakes. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) pointed to past assurances from administration officials that they were not planning regime change, then said Trump did exactly that.
Democrats also keep pointing to the White House’s hazy plan after the raid. Trump spoke about temporary U.S. control, restarting Venezuela’s oil sector with American companies, and an “oil quarantine” pushed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to squeeze Maduro loyalists.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the operation as a win for U.S. interests, arguing Americans could gain access to resources without a long conflict. Democrats don’t buy that promise. They see a real risk of escalation.
Venezuela’s interim leader, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was put in place through the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court, has vowed to resist. She called the raid “state terrorism” and said her side is mobilizing. Pro-Maduro protests broke out in Caracas, while many Venezuelan exiles celebrated in Miami and New York.
Venezuela’s Uncertain Future, and a New Fight Over War Powers
The raid leaves Venezuela in a fragile spot. Opposition leader María Corina Machado, blocked from running in the disputed 2024 election, has cautiously welcomed stronger pressure on Maduro but has not endorsed the U.S. strike. Analysts warn the country could slide into internal conflict if Chavista forces rally around Rodríguez or if parts of the military break apart.
In Washington, the operation is restarting a long-running argument about presidential war powers. There is no specific authorization for military action in Venezuela, and Democrats are looking at oversight options when lawmakers return Monday. Those tools include demands for briefings, new resolutions, and possible limits on funding.
Rubio has indicated the U.S. does not plan to directly govern Venezuela, but he has described a hard line for Caracas: cooperate with the United States or face isolation. Trump has also said he hasn’t ruled out sending ground troops if needed.
In the region, governments such as Colombia and Brazil have offered few public comments so far. Iran and Cuba criticized the operation. Some Trump allies have cast the action as part of a tougher posture in the hemisphere, with references to the Monroe Doctrine circulating among supporters.
Talk of Accountability Returns, With the Midterms in View
Republicans hold both chambers after narrow 2024 wins, which limits what Democrats can do right now. Still, the Venezuela operation has reignited talk of consequences. A small group of progressives, along with some frustrated moderates, have mentioned impeachment or even the 25th Amendment. They argue the strike was unconstitutional and reckless.
One House Democrat, speaking anonymously, said the party feels trapped in a cycle where every Trump move becomes another crisis. Leadership has been careful, weighing the risk that aggressive steps could backfire before the 2026 midterms, especially if Venezuela stabilizes under U.S. influence.
As Democrats head into Sunday’s emergency caucus, they are trying to hold a tight line. They want to condemn Trump’s process without sounding like they are defending Maduro. They also want answers about what the United States is committed to now, and how far this conflict could go.
Maduro’s capture has upended Latin American politics overnight. In Washington, the partisan fight is already shaping how the next chapter unfolds.
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Politics
Sen. Josh Hawley Demands DOJ Probe Into ‘Dark Money’ Network
Missouri Republican Repeats Call for Investigations and Prosecutions After Heated Senate Hearing on Fraud, Foreign Influence, and Political Funding
WASHINGTON D.C.– U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is again pushing the federal government to act on what he describes as secretive “dark money” networks. He says these groups help drive division, protests, and possible fraud across the United States.
During a recent Senate hearing, he led, Hawley pointed to operations he tied to billionaire-linked networks connected to George Soros and Neville Roy Singham. He urged the Department of Justice to open wide-ranging investigations and bring charges if the evidence supports it.
Hawley made the remarks during a Homeland Security subcommittee hearing that focused on fraud in state and federal programs, along with foreign influence inside the country. He described nonprofit groups and funding pipelines that he says operate with limited public visibility. In his view, those networks help finance what he called radical political activity on U.S. streets.
What Hawley Said in the Hearing
At the February 10, 2026, hearing, titled “Examining Fraud and Foreign Influence in State and Federal Programs,” Hawley pressed witnesses about large funding structures tied to nonprofit grants. He leaned on testimony from Seamus Bruner, vice president of the Government Accountability Institute, who tracks nonprofit money flows.
According to Hawley, researchers compiled a large database with “hundreds of thousands of rows” of grant information. He said the data includes funding connected to:
- the Soros network
- The Arabella funding network
- The Neville Roy Singham funding network
- other similar organizations
When Hawley asked about the size of these operations, Bruner pointed to what he called massive NGOs with billions available for organized activity. He described spending tied to coordinated protests and, in some cases, riot activity.
Hawley argued that the money often moves through multiple layers of groups. He claimed that structure can make it hard to track who pays for what. He also pointed to protests in Minnesota, saying reports show more than $60 million went to about 14 groups, including national and local organizations. He tied that to broader claims of state-level fraud involving hundreds of millions in public funds.
Hawley said he sees the same patterns again and again, with funding routed through similar channels and then appearing around protests and unrest. He also said prosecutions should follow where investigators find criminal conduct.
Near the end of the hearing, Hawley repeated his request to the Justice Department. He asked prosecutors to investigate the groups, map out the funding web, and pursue charges when possible. He said Americans should be able to trust that their government is not being shaped by hidden money.
The People and Networks Hawley Named
George Soros, a Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist, has long drawn criticism from conservative lawmakers and commentators. His Open Society Foundations and related organizations support progressive causes. Critics often point to the way 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit structures can allow donors to remain anonymous. They argue this can hide major political spending behind legal nonprofit activity.
Neville Roy Singham, a U.S.-born tech entrepreneur who now lives in Shanghai, has also faced increased scrutiny. Reports have raised concerns about his alleged ties to Chinese Communist Party propaganda efforts. Those reports claim his money supports groups that promote left-wing causes in several countries, including organizations accused of repeating Beijing-aligned messaging. Hawley referenced Singham in the context of foreign influence and protest support inside the United States.
During the hearing, Hawley and witnesses suggested that some of these networks may overlap at times. They also described similar methods, such as sending money through intermediary groups to make the source harder to see.
Part of a Bigger Fight Over “Dark Money”
Hawley’s latest push follows earlier steps this month. In early February 2026, he sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asking for investigations into left-leaning dark money groups tied to anti-ICE protests across the country. Organizers described those demonstrations as grassroots, but Hawley argued that large donors, routed through less transparent channels, helped fund them.
He also connected the issue to larger cases, which he says show deep problems in public spending oversight. That includes allegations of major fraud in Minnesota tied to taxpayer dollars and pandemic-related programs. He also raised broader concerns about foreign actors taking advantage of U.S. systems.
In Hawley’s framing, the problem goes beyond politics and into public safety and national security. He argued that taxpayers lose huge sums to fraud, while foreign-linked efforts can help stir conflict and disorder at home. He said federal authorities should focus on shutting down illegal funding pipelines and stopping foreign influence where it crosses legal lines.
How People Are Responding and What Could Happen Next
Reactions to Hawley’s statements have split along familiar lines. Supporters say he is calling attention to hidden funding and demanding accountability from powerful networks. Critics respond that he focuses on left-leaning donors while downplaying conservative dark money, and they add that much nonprofit political spending remains legal and protected under free speech rules.
As of this reporting, the Department of Justice has not publicly responded to Hawley’s specific requests involving networks tied to Soros or Singham. If federal investigators move forward, they would likely review a mix of issues. That could include tax compliance, foreign agent registration rules, and possible criminal violations tied to fraud or money laundering.
Meanwhile, Hawley’s subcommittee continues its oversight work, and he has suggested that more hearings are coming. He also pointed back to the database of grant records referenced at the hearing, signaling that additional research could lead to more claims about funding links and organizational relationships.
Why This Story Matters in US Politics
Dark money, meaning political spending tied to donors who are not publicly disclosed, has concerned lawmakers and voters on both sides for years. The debate intensified after the 2010 Citizens United decision. Since then, Democrats and Republicans have traded accusations about nonprofits being used to influence elections, policy, and public opinion while shielding donors from view.
Hawley’s campaign fits with a broader Republican message about elite power and foreign influence. By naming Soros and Singham, he is trying to put faces on a larger argument about secrecy in political funding. He also hopes that public pressure will push federal agencies toward stronger enforcement and more transparency.
Hawley closed his argument with a familiar point: Americans should be able to control their own government. Whether the DOJ acts on his renewed call remains unclear, but Hawley’s continued focus keeps dark money, protest funding, and foreign influence in the spotlight.
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Megyn Kelly Slams Hillary Clinton For “Extraordinary Hypocrisy”
NEW YORK – Megyn Kelly went after Hillary Clinton during a heated segment on Sky News Australia, accusing the former secretary of state of blatant hypocrisy. Kelly argued that Clinton is trying to tie President Donald Trump and his Department of Justice to a Jeffrey Epstein file “cover-up” while ignoring how often Bill Clinton shows up in the same material.
The clash comes as renewed attention hits the ongoing release of millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. Speaking to the BBC during the Munich Security Conference in mid-February 2026, Hillary Clinton claimed the Trump administration had dragged its feet on full disclosure. She also alleged the DOJ has kept key names out of view through redactions and has resisted congressional requests.
“Get the files out. They are slow-walking it,” Clinton said, framing the delays as an effort to protect powerful people, with Trump implied in her remarks.
On Sky News host Paul Murray’s show, Kelly said Clinton’s comments look like a distraction. She pointed to Bill Clinton’s history with Epstein and argued that Hillary Clinton’s attacks on Trump don’t hold up when her husband’s name appears so often in the record.
Megyn Kelly’s blunt message: Bill Clinton shows up again and again
Megyn Kelly didn’t soften her point during the interview.
“There are few in the Epstein file as many times as Bill Clinton,” she told Murray. “There is a long, long history between those two.”
Over the years, court filings, flight logs from Epstein’s private jet (often called the “Lolita Express”), and witness accounts have repeatedly referenced Bill Clinton’s travel and connections to Epstein after Clinton left office.
No criminal charges have ever been brought against the former president tied to Epstein’s crimes. Still, Kelly stressed that his name appears frequently in unsealed materials, more often than many other prominent figures.
From Megyn Kelly’s view, that context undercuts the Clintons’ posture in the current debate.
“They folded like cheap tents because they knew they didn’t have a leg to stand on,” she said, arguing that efforts to keep the spotlight on Trump fade fast once Bill Clinton’s links come up.
That theme matches a wider conservative argument. Critics say Democrats push Trump-Epstein angles hard while minimizing or brushing past Bill Clinton’s documented association with Epstein.
The Epstein files fight, and why it won’t go away.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. After his death, public pressure grew for transparency about his circle of wealthy and influential contacts, which included political figures, business leaders, scientists, and celebrities.
Several developments have kept the issue alive, including:
- Rolling releases of court records from civil cases, including Virginia Giuffre’s defamation lawsuit involving Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Congressional action in late 2025orderedg the Department of Justice to declassify and release remaining Epstein-related materials.
- A large document release in early 2026 that totaled millions of pages, although critics on both sides say heavy redactions remain.
During Trump’s current term, the DOJ under Attorney General Pam Bondi has overseen the latest round of releases. Supporters of the process say the DOJ must protect victim privacy and follow legal rules. Opponents, including Clinton, argue the government is shielding elites connected to the current president.
Clinton’s BBC interview added fuel to the partisan fight. She said potential congressional subpoenas for her and Bill Clinton were meant to distract from Trump.
“Why do they want to pull us into this? To divert attention from President Trump. This is not complicated,” she said.
In response, the White House said the administration has “done more for the victims” than previous administrations and remains committed to transparency.
The hypocrisy argument, and the broader political fallout
Megyn Kelly’s comments highlight a familiar pattern in US politics, where each side accuses the other of playing favorites in major scandals.
Critics point to Bill Clinton’s Epstein connections, including:
- Multiple trips on Epstein’s plane.
- Shared social circles and overlap in philanthropic settings.
- No proven criminal wrongdoing, but ongoing questions raised by unsealed documents.
At the same time, Trump’s Epstein-related history has also drawn attention, including:
- Past social ties in New York and Palm Beach circles.
- A 2002 comment describing Epstein as a “terrific guy” who liked “beautiful women… on the younger side.”
- Later separation from Epstein, including a ban from Mar-a-Lago.
- Mentions in released files, though Kelly and other commentators claim they appear less often than Bill Clinton’s.
Megyn Kelly’s central claim is that Hillary Clinton’s focus on Trump ignores that imbalance. She argues Clinton can’t credibly demand answers from others while sidestepping her own family’s exposure in the same story.
The debate also reflects a split in coverage. Right-leaning outlets, including Sky News Australia, have highlighted Kelly’s pushback. Meanwhile, many mainstream US outlets have placed more focus on Clinton’s claims of a cover-up and on congressional efforts aimed at the Clintons.
What it could mean for 2026 politics
As Trump’s second term moves forward, the Epstein files remain a political flashpoint. Each new release risks naming more people and reshaping public opinion across party lines.
For Democrats, Clinton’s public push for more transparency may rally supporters, but it also risks pulling Bill Clinton’s past back into headlines. For Republicans, Kelly’s comments offer a ready counterattack, framing Democratic criticism as selective and self-serving.
Above all, the fight shows how little trust many voters have in institutions handling cases that touch powerful people. Full, unredacted disclosure still isn’t guaranteed, and the argument over what’s being held back keeps growing.
Megyn Kelly’s bottom line, that the Clintons “didn’t have a leg to stand on,” captures the tone of the moment. As more documents surface and pressure continues, the Epstein saga remains a tool in ongoing political warfare, and neither side seems ready to let it drop.
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AOC Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Munich Security Conference Gaffes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), a top progressive voice in the Democratic Party, drew global attention at the 62nd Munich Security Conference in February 2026. However, her debut on that stage quickly became a flashpoint.
Organizers invited her to talk about changes in U.S. foreign policy and the rise of authoritarian politics. She tried to offer a working-class-focused alternative to the Trump administration’s style.
Instead, several awkward moments and charged lines sparked criticism from conservatives, moderates, and even some Democrats. As a result, talk grew about possible weak spots if she pursues bigger plans, including a potential 2028 presidential run.
The conference ran from February 13 to 15, 2026. It brought together global leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to discuss transatlantic security.
The agenda focused on alliances, migration, and major power rivalry. AOC joined panels on populism and U.S. foreign policy. Throughout, she argued that economic inequality links directly to the global rise of far-right movements.
Key moments that drove the AOC backlash
Several parts of Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance set off immediate pushback across the political spectrum:
- Taiwan’s defense hesitation
During a Bloomberg-hosted discussion, she was asked whether the United States should commit troops to defend Taiwan if China invaded. She paused for a noticeable moment, then gave a careful answer centered on deterrence and alliances. Critics called the exchange a “word salad” and said it showed she wasn’t ready for core national security questions. - Venezuela geography mistake
While talking about Latin America, she wrongly said Venezuela sits south of the equator (it’s in the Northern Hemisphere). The slip spread quickly online and in media coverage, and opponents questioned her grasp of basic geopolitics. - “Cowboy culture” jab at Rubio
She tried to respond to Secretary Rubio’s comments about the Spanish roots of American cowboy culture. In that context, she said Mexicans and descendants of enslaved Africans “would like to have a word.” Critics argued the line was historically off and flattened a complex history into a quick punchline. - Wider foreign policy framing
She linked U.S. aid to Israel to enabling “genocide” in Gaza. She also urged a progressive, class-first foreign policy as a way to push back on authoritarianism. Those positions energized many progressives. At the same time, they turned off centrists and some pro-Israel Democrats.
Republican voices moved fast. Strategist Matt Whitlock called the weekend an “absolute train wreck,” and he pointed to the Taiwan moment and her history references as the biggest problems. Former President Donald Trump and allies also boosted clips on social media, aiming to frame her as out of her depth on a world stage.
Criticism from the left and center-left
The blowback didn’t stay on the right. Some veteran Democrats and liberal commentators said the mistakes were avoidable and distracting.
- New York Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf said the appearance showed “a complete lack of chops about international issues,” and he added it wasn’t “ready for prime time.”
- Moderate and left-leaning voices, including social media commenters and opinion writers, admitted the Taiwan answer “was not great” and could hurt her credibility.
- Even some progressive outlets said the stumbles pulled focus from her main point, that inequality fuels far-right populism.
In later interviews, Ocasio-Cortez defended the trip and pushed back on the idea that it was about personal ambition. “I went to Munich not because I’m running for president,” she told The New York Times, “but because we need to address runaway inequality.”
What it could mean for her political future
After Munich, attention on Ocasio-Cortez’s national path only grew. As a leading member of “The Squad” with a large online following, she has a loyal base. Still, she also faces ongoing questions about whether she can expand beyond progressive voters, especially on foreign policy.
- Near-term downside
The missteps give opponents ready-made clips for future campaigns. They could also make fundraising and endorsements harder with establishment Democrats who worry about national security gaps. - Longer-term staying power
Supporters argue the reaction reflects discomfort with her class-based challenge to elite foreign policy thinking. They also point to her joint appearance with Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), where she promoted a “working-people” approach. In contrast, Rubio leaned into messages focused on migration and borders. - National-level math
Analysts say her base turnout remains strong. However, broader viability often requires steady command of tough topics, including China policy and Middle East conflicts.
Overall, the Munich episode highlights a familiar challenge for progressive leaders who step into national security debates. With global tensions high, any sign of inexperience can carry a real political cost.
Ocasio-Cortez has faced controversies before and often turns criticism into motivation for her supporters. Whether Munich slows her down or fires up her base is still unclear. Even so, it marked a high-stakes test of her first major foreign policy appearance.
In the days after the conference, she said she was frustrated that coverage of “slip-ups” drowned out her warnings about authoritarianism. Yet the wide pile-on from both parties suggests the moment may stick in the public memory as her profile continues to grow.
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