Donald Trump reunited with his trusted chief of staff, Susie Wiles, this week, just days after she was noticeably absent from Mar-a-Lago during a dramatic operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Wiles was spotted alongside Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, following their attendance at a House Republican event at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Her absence during the early Saturday raid drew attention because Wiles, whom Trump famously calls the “most powerful woman in the world” and the “Ice Maiden,” is deeply involved in virtually all aspects of the administration’s operations.
Wiles Missed the Raid Due to Illness, But Stayed Informed
Although Wiles participated in major Mar-a-Lago meetings, including discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky on December 28 and Benjamin Netanyahu the next day, she skipped the Maduro raid after coming down with the flu.
A senior White House official told the Daily Mail that Wiles remained fully briefed on the mission and monitored the operation from home via a secure communications link.
Last month, Wiles made headlines in a Vanity Fair interview, stating that any military action in Venezuela would require congressional approval and describing Trump as having an “alcoholic’s personality.”
Vice President Vance’s Role in the Mission
Vice President JD Vance was present at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach on Friday, where he discussed the upcoming operation.
However, he left before the raid commenced at 1 a.m. to avoid a late-night motorcade that could have tipped off Venezuelan authorities.
According to a spokesman, Vance stayed connected throughout the night via secure video link and returned to Cincinnati after the operation concluded.
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago situation room included top officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
A Daring Military Operation
The raid was hailed as a significant military success.
Maduro and his wife were reportedly extracted from under the noses of his guards at their presidential mansion in Caracas, Venezuela, with no American casualties.
Fifty-five enemy combatants were killed in the operation.
Despite the triumph, questions quickly arose over the legality of the seizure.
Trump did not seek congressional approval for the raid, nor did he inform the so-called “gang of eight,” a group of senior lawmakers usually briefed in advance of covert operations.
Trump Demands Recognition from Democrats
On Tuesday, Trump criticized Democrats for failing to acknowledge the success of the operation, even though there is bipartisan agreement that Maduro is an illegitimate leader.
Trump noted that Maduro has long been accused in the U.S. of narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking.
He expressed frustration that past administrations had pursued Maduro for years without capturing him, saying, “You know, at some point, they should say, ‘You did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations.’”
Congressional Concerns About U.S. Expansionism
Following a briefing for congressional leaders led by Rubio and other top officials, lawmakers voiced concerns about Trump potentially pursuing a new era of American expansionism without consulting Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated he does not expect U.S. troops to remain in Venezuela and emphasized that the raid was “not regime change.”
Democratic leaders, however, argued that the briefing lacked clarity.
Public Opinion Divided
Public reactions to the Maduro capture remain mixed.
A poll conducted by JL Partners for the Daily Mail found that 43 percent of registered voters supported Trump’s military action, while 36 percent opposed it.
Meanwhile, Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court to longstanding drug trafficking charges.
Looking Ahead for U.S.-Venezuela Policy
With Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, now sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president, Trump has indicated that his administration will take the lead on Venezuela policy.
He suggested plans to pressure the country’s leaders to open its oil reserves to American energy companies, signaling a new chapter in U.S. engagement with Caracas.
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