Overview
- President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited Fort Bragg on Friday to recognize special operators involved in January’s Operation Absolute Resolve that captured Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump used the appearance to endorse Michael Whatley for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat and warned that Democrats would change the base’s restored name, while pledging over $1 billion for on-base housing.
- In his most detailed public remarks to date, Trump highlighted a secret capability he calls the “discombobulator,” saying it shut down Venezuelan defenses and equipment tied to Russian and Chinese systems.
- U.S. officials reported no American fatalities in the raid, with news reports citing seven wounded including helicopter pilots, while Venezuelan authorities said 83 people were killed and more than 112 injured.
- Maduro remains in U.S. custody ahead of a March 17 court hearing in New York as Trump touted close ties with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. control over Venezuelan oil revenues.