Tulsi Gabbard remained notably absent from the planning and public discussion of the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, highlighting tensions between her non-interventionist stance and the Trump administration’s assertive foreign policy.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reshaping of the Pentagon press corps has produced coverage of the Venezuela raid that emphasizes praise and loyalty over rigorous questioning, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

An anonymous prediction market trader’s $400,000-plus profit on a well-timed bet tied to Nicolás Maduro’s capture has raised scrutiny of insider trading risks and regulatory gaps in online betting platforms.

Russia views Nicolás Maduro’s capture as a stark reminder that the United States can act decisively on the world stage with limited restraint, reinforcing Moscow’s belief that power, not rules, ultimately governs great-power behavior.

Georgia has scheduled a special election to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene’s vacated House seat, a contest with significant local and national implications for both parties.

Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa of California has died at 65, further narrowing the GOP’s slim House majority and raising strategic challenges for party leadership.

Cilia Flores was widely seen as a central strategist in Venezuelan politics — the “brains” behind the regime while Nicolás Maduro provided political clout — and her capture with him highlights her long‑standing influence and the legal jeopardy now confronting both.

On the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack, Democrats call for accountability while many Republicans remain silent, highlighting continuing partisan divides over the event and its implications.

At a House Republicans retreat, President Trump described the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro as “brilliant,” emphasizing its strategic success and political significance.

The UK and France say they are prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire, signaling Europe’s early planning for post-war security and deterrence.