In a tense and revealing interview on CNN's "The Lead," host Jake Tapper confronted White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller about a dramatic military operation over the weekend. The discussion centred on the United States' invasion of Venezuela and the seizure of its now-ousted president, Nicolás Maduro.
A Proud Admission and Justification
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that U.S. forces in Caracas had captured Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later stated that deadly strikes accompanying the nighttime extraction were necessary to protect American personnel. When Tapper raised the topic, Miller proudly confirmed the action. "Damn straight we did!" he declared.
Miller justified the controversial move as part of America's responsibility as a "superpower." He reiterated claims from Trump and a Justice Department indictment that Maduro has been trafficking narcotics into the U.S. Miller framed the conflict as a humanitarian effort, stating the U.S. would not let Venezuela "fall into the hands" of its adversaries and vowed to use military force "to secure our interests unapologetically in our hemisphere."
Clashing Over Venezuela's Political Future
The exchange grew more heated when Tapper pressed Miller on the political aftermath. The host questioned why Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, was installed as interim leader instead of opposition figure María Corina Machado. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner barred from the 2024 presidential race, retains widespread support.
Miller dismissed the idea as "absurd and preposterous," echoing Trump's stance that Machado lacks sufficient support. This led Tapper to ask if Venezuela should even hope to hold an election. Miller launched into a lengthy defence of American might, arguing that "the future of the free world depends on America being able to assert ourselves and our interests without apology."
A Testy Exchange and a Vision of Prosperity
Frustration mounted as Tapper challenged Miller's perspective. "I don't even know, honestly, what you're talking about right now," Tapper interrupted at one point. Miller accused the anchor of being "smarmy" and viewing the situation through a "neoliberal frame." Tapper countered, "No, that's not what I think — but you invaded the country. We went into the country and we seized the leader of Venezuela."
Miller emphatically repeated, "Damn straight we did!" He claimed the action was to prevent "tinpot communist dictators" from sending drugs and criminals into the United States. He concluded with glowing praise for Trump, calling the operation "one of the greatest foreign policy and military achievements this country has ever had," and promised a prosperous future for Venezuela, noting Trump's confirmation of strong U.S. involvement in the country's oil industry.
The visibly drained Tapper allowed Miller to finish his argument, concluding a segment that laid bare the stark, unapologetic vision of American power driving the administration's hemispheric policy.
