Former President Donald Trump has received a warm reception from congressional Republicans after championing a recent military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Speaking at the House Republican party retreat in Washington DC, Trump framed the assault as a strategic triumph, despite facing criticism from some former allies for deviating from his 'America First' foreign policy.
A 'Brilliant' Military Operation Defended
Addressing lawmakers for nearly 90 minutes at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday 6 January 2026, Trump detailed the raid. He described it as an "amazing military feat" and an "incredible" operation involving 152 aircraft. The former president celebrated that no US special forces personnel were killed, while acknowledging casualties among troops guarding Maduro, whom he identified as "mostly Cubans".
Trump used the speech to lambast Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for not thanking him for removing what he called a "repressive dictator". He characterised Maduro as a "violent guy" who had "killed millions of people" and referenced a torture chamber in Caracas. The remarks were met with applause and whoops from the assembled Republican members.
Midterm Warnings and Election Claims
The retreat, held at the venue recently renamed the "Trump-Kennedy Center" by his appointees, served as a rallying cry for November's crucial midterm elections. Trump issued a stark warning to his party: "You gotta win the midterms 'cos, if we don't win the midterms, it's just gonna be – I mean, they'll find a reason to impeach me." This would be an unprecedented third impeachment.
He urged unity on issues from gender politics to healthcare and election reform, asking Republicans to effectively 'sell' his policies to a public concerned about the cost of living. Despite predicting an "epic win", he expressed frustration with the historical trend where the sitting president's party typically loses ground in midterms.
Trump also repeated his false claim that the 2020 election was "rigged", urged stricter voter ID laws, and criticised mail-in voting. Notably, his speech coincided with the fifth anniversary of the 6 January US Capitol attack, for which he was impeached a second time. He claimed the media never reported his instructions to supporters to march "peacefully and patriotically".
Personal Jibes and Dancing References
The former president's wide-ranging address included personal attacks and characteristic digressions. He mocked the dancing of the deposed Venezuelan leader, suggesting Maduro tried to "imitate my dance a little bit". Maduro had regularly appeared dancing to a techno remix of his 'yes peace' mantra as US forces gathered in the Caribbean in late 2025.
Trump, known for dancing to 'YMCA' at rallies, also mused about unconstitutionally seeking a third term, questioned whether he was "allowed to run", and suggested a "constitutional movement" might enable it. The 79-year-old boasted about passing cognitive tests he claimed Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom would fail.
In a moment of self-awareness, he recounted that his wife, Melania, "hates it when I dance", calling it "so unpresidential". He later performed an exaggerated imitation of a transgender weightlifter while discussing his administration's sports ban, again noting his wife's disapproval of such antics.
The event highlighted Trump's enduring grip on the Republican base, with little sign that the controversial Venezuela intervention had fractured his support within the party. All eyes now turn to the midterms, which Trump has framed as a direct referendum on his political future and a bulwark against further impeachment proceedings.
