President Donald Trump has been pictured alongside his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, following her conspicuous absence from the dramatic military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The pair were seen on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, returning from a House Republican event.
The Notable Absence from the Raid
Wiles, whom Trump has dubbed 'the most powerful woman in the world' and the 'Ice Maiden,' was notably missing from the Situation Room-style photos released after the daring early-hours raid on Saturday, January 3rd. Her absence raised immediate questions, given her frequent involvement in all key administration matters.
A senior White House official told the Daily Mail that Wiles had been suffering from the flu and was unable to attend the operation in person. However, she was fully briefed on the mission and monitored it in real-time from her home via a secure communications link.
Also absent from the Mar-a-Lago command centre was Vice President JD Vance. A spokesman stated that Vance, who had been at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club on Friday to discuss the operation, departed before the 1 am strike commenced. This was to avoid a late-night motorcade that might have alerted Venezuelan officials. The Vice President joined by secure video conference throughout the night and returned to Cincinnati after the operation concluded.
A Military Triumph and Political Controversy
The raid, which extracted Maduro and his wife from his presidential mansion in Caracas, has been hailed as a military success. Not a single American soldier died, while 55 enemy troops were killed. The operation involved key figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
However, the action has ignited a fierce debate over its legality. Trump did not seek congressional approval for the strike, nor was it disclosed to the bipartisan 'gang of eight' senior lawmakers typically briefed on covert actions. This has led to concerns among legislators about a new era of American expansionism without proper consultation.
Public opinion remains divided. An exclusive JL Partners poll for the Daily Mail found that 43% of registered voters support the military action, while 36% oppose it.
Aftermath and Administration's Next Steps
Maduro, who was indicted in the US in 2020 on narco-terrorism charges, pleaded not guilty in a New York court on Monday. His deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, has been sworn in as Venezuela's acting president.
President Trump has since criticised Democrats for not crediting his administration's success, stating, "You know, at some point, they should say, 'You know, you did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations.'" He has asserted that his administration will now 'run' Venezuela policy, aiming to press the country's new leadership to open its vast oil reserves to American energy companies.
The reunion with Wiles comes after a controversial Vanity Fair interview last month where she suggested military action in Venezuela would need congressional approval and remarked that Trump had an 'alcoholic's personality.' Her return to the President's side signals business as usual within a White House celebrating a high-risk geopolitical victory.
