Overview
- The president and first lady Melania Trump visited Fort Bragg to salute U.S. special operators who captured Nicolás Maduro in a Jan. 3 raid that he said showcased the nation’s “full military might.”
- Trump said American helicopter pilots were wounded “pretty bad in the legs” during the operation and indicated one service member involved will receive the Medal of Honor after he met privately with the team.
- U.S. officials report no American deaths in the raid, which Military Times said involved more than 200 personnel and 150 aircraft; Venezuelan authorities say 83 of their forces were killed and over 112 injured.
- Trump highlighted a deepening U.S. partnership with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, noting an energy pact and U.S. marketing of Venezuelan crude with proceeds controlled by Washington.
- The appearance doubled as political messaging as he promoted North Carolina Senate hopeful Michael Whatley and warned Democrats would again change the base’s name, while Maduro remains in U.S. custody with a New York court date set for March 17.