Concerns about a potential &#8220;tip off&#8221; and general heightened security threats kept Vice President JD Vance away from the Situation Room during the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and a post-capture presser. 
A spokesperson for the vice president told Daily Wire White House Correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan that Vance was &#8220;deeply integrated in the process and planning of the Venezuela strikes and Maduro’s arrest.&#8221; 
Notably, the vice president also voiced his support for the operation and hit critics claiming Trump&#8217;s actions were &#8220;illegal.&#8221;
“Vice President Vance was deeply integrated in the process and planning of the Venezuela strikes and Maduro’s arrest,&#8221; the spokesperson said. &#8220;He joined several late-night meetings via secure video conference with National Security principals leading up to the operation. The Vice President briefly met with President Trump at the Trump golf club in West Palm Beach during the day Friday to discuss the strikes.&#8221;
&#8220;The Vice President was not at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night, as the National Security team was concerned a late-night motorcade movement by the Vice President while the operation was getting underway may tip off the Venezuelans,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The Vice President joined by secure video conference throughout the night to monitor the operation.&#8221;
&#8220;Due to increased security concerns, the Administration has aimed to limit the frequency and duration of the Vice President and President being co-located away from the White House,&#8221; the spokesperson added. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On Vice President Vance’s role in last night’s midnight raid in Venezuela, per a VP spox to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDailyWire</a>:
“Vice President Vance was deeply integrated in the process and planning of the Venezuela strikes and Maduro’s arrest.
He joined several late night meetings via secure…
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2007528410172592533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
Vance on Saturday posted on X that Maduro was offered &#8220;multiple off ramps,&#8221; but chose to ignore them. &#8220;Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says,&#8221; Vance said. &#8220;Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.&#8221;
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible c-link--underline" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
&#8220;And PSA for everyone saying this was &#8216;illegal&#8217;: Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism,&#8221; he added. &#8220;You don&#8217;t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
And PSA for everyone saying this was &#8220;illegal&#8221;:
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don&#8217;t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/2007447388697268441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
On Saturday morning, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted in the Southern District of New York. Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States, the AG said.
&#8220;On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers,&#8221; Bondi added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2007428087143686611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/general-razin-caine-breaks-down-incredible-details-of-operation-to-capture-maduro?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=General+‘Razin’+Caine+Breaks+Down+Incredible+Details+Of+Operation+To+Capture+Maduro">General ‘Razin’ Caine Breaks Down Incredible Details Of Operation To Capture Maduro</a>

<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

JD Vance Was ‘Deeply Integrated’ In Planning For Venezuela Strike

CONTINUE READING

Janet Mills And Her Family Get Rich Off The Maine Governor’s Transgender Stance

Bondi Unleashes On Maine, Announces New Lawsuit Against State For Violating Title IX

News

Donald Trump

Global Politics

JD Vance

Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela

World

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

JD Vance Was ‘Deeply Integrated’ In Planning For Venezuela Strike