A fiery condemnation erupted from a prominent San Francisco Democrat, accusing former President Trump of orchestrating a “coup” against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. State Senator Scott Wiener, widely considered a frontrunner to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress, leveled the charge following Maduro’s arrest and extradition to New York.
Wiener’s statement wasn’t solely focused on Venezuela. He also directed pointed criticism towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, framing both actions as dangerous precedents with global implications. This isn’t the first time Wiener has commanded national attention, previously championing legislation to designate California as a sanctuary for transgender children.
The senator argued the Maduro operation wasn’t about justice or democracy, but a cynical ploy to benefit Trump’s donors and secure access to Venezuela’s oil reserves. He painted a picture of a president prioritizing personal gain over international stability, dismissing any pretense of lawful action.
Wiener warned that this move emboldens authoritarian regimes worldwide, specifically citing potential repercussions for Taiwan facing Chinese aggression, Ukraine resisting Russian expansion, and the volatile situation in Gaza and the West Bank. He suggested the operation was a deliberate distraction from domestic political troubles, including declining poll numbers and the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The White House swiftly defended the administration’s actions, asserting they were “lawfully executed” under a valid federal arrest warrant. A spokesperson countered Wiener’s accusations, accusing Democrats of defending an indicted drug smuggler while Trump champions victims and seeks closure for families.
Supporters of the operation vehemently rejected the “regime change” label, highlighting the actions of Maduro-aligned courts that had previously barred opposition leader María Corina Machado from running for office. They pointed to the results of the recent election, where Machado’s proxy candidate appeared to win.
Wiener remained unconvinced, reiterating his belief that oil, not democracy, was the driving force behind the intervention. He insisted Maduro’s actions, however reprehensible, didn’t justify what he characterized as an illegal invasion motivated by Trump’s dwindling political support.
While Wiener’s call for impeachment was the most forceful, he wasn’t alone. Other Democrats around the country began to revisit the possibility of impeachment proceedings, citing Trump’s actions as a potential overreach of presidential power. Representative April McClain-Delaney of Maryland urged immediate consideration of impeachment, citing a lack of congressional authorization.
Veteran Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a long-time critic of Trump, also expressed renewed interest in impeachment, lamenting past failures to hold the former president accountable. She described the situation as an “unprecedented escalation” of unlawful actions, even acknowledging reports of Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking and ties to terrorist organizations.
Wiener’s upcoming primary election is shaping up to be a pivotal contest in a heavily Democratic district. Several other candidates have entered the race, including San Francisco Councilwoman Connie Chan, setting the stage for a competitive battle for Pelosi’s potential successor.
