Lawmakers said they were not briefed before the operation, although Rubio called some members of Congress after it took place.
Democratic and Republican congressional leaders said they hoped to arrange some briefings after lawmakers return to Washington on Jan 5 following their year-end recess.
Most Republicans praised Trump’s action and have declined to discuss what has been said in classified briefings.
“President Trump’s decisive action to disrupt the unacceptable status quo and apprehend Maduro, through the execution of a valid Department of Justice warrant, is an important first step to bring him to justice for the drug crimes for which he has been indicted in the United States,” said Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota.
Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, at a press conference in his home state of Florida, said that with Maduro removed from power in Venezuela, the “tyrannies” of Cuba and Nicaragua’s leaders were also in jeopardy.
“The next two, their days are also counted,” he said.
Other members of Congress have long accused presidents from both parties of seeking to sidestep the Constitution’s requirement that Congress, not the president, approve anything other than brief and limited military action needed to defend the United States.
