Patriot Brief

  • What Happened: President Trump celebrated special forces members who ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a January 3 raid, saying the world saw "what the full military might" of the U.S. can do.
  • Why It Matters: Trump told soldiers at Fort Bragg that "we are feared by enemies all over the globe" and called the forces involved "some of our greatest soldiers to ever live."
  • Bottom Line: The president said Maduro was taken out in minutes and praised his replacement while inviting U.S. oil companies to rebuild Venezuela's energy industry.

President Donald Trump just celebrated the special forces members who ousted Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, and he made clear to the world exactly what American military might looks like.

Addressing soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, one of the world's largest military bases, Trump declared "your commander in chief supports you totally." Then he told them, "When needed, you're going to fight, fight, fight. You're going to win, win, win."

Trump praised the January 3 raid that removed Maduro from power and sent him to face U.S. drug smuggling charges. "It was a matter of minutes before he was on a helicopter being taken out," he said.

Trump called the forces involved "some of our greatest soldiers to ever live, frankly," while dismissing Maduro as an "outlaw dictator."

"That night, the entire world saw what the full military might of the U.S. military is capable of," the president declared. "It was so precise, so incredible."

Trump vowed that as long as he is president, the U.S. will have "the best led, the best trained, the best equipped, the most disciplined and the most elite fighting force the world has ever seen."

Then he made clear what that means for America's enemies. "America's respected again. And, perhaps most importantly, we are feared by the enemies all over the globe."

"I don't like to say fear," Trump said. "But, sometimes, you have to have fear because that's the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of."

The president also mentioned sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, proving he is willing to back up American strength with action.

Trump praised Maduro's replacement, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, and announced that U.S. oil companies are moving into Venezuela to rebuild its energy industry. "The relationship is strong, the oil is coming out," Trump told reporters. "We have our big oil companies going in, they're going to be pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money."

This is what American strength looks like. A dictator removed in minutes. Special forces executing a flawless operation. And the entire world watching as the United States reminds everyone exactly what happens when you cross us.

Trump is not afraid to use American military power. And he is not afraid to tell the world that we are feared again. That is how you keep the peace. Through strength, not weakness.