During a January 28, 2026, Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) over U.S. policy toward Venezuela following the Trump administration’s military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and invoked the Alien Enemies Act for deportations.
Duckworth pressed Rubio on whether the U.S. is “at war” with Venezuela and if Trump threatened boots on the ground, accusing inconsistency in denying war while using wartime powers. Rubio denied Trump explicitly said troops would go in, emphasizing presidential authority against imminent threats but no current war or planned ground troops. .
In any case, the irritating Sen. Duckworth began, “Their president already said that he was ready to put American troops in Venezuela again. So we’re at war right now. So if things don’t go well with their Chavistas, you’ve empowered the President with a military option. What is your criterion for returning to a military option and putting boots on the ground?”
Responding, Rubio pointed out, “Well, I don’t recall the President saying he’s going to put troops in Venezuela. Where did he say that?” Enraged the sputtering Demcorat interjected, “I’m asking you, what are your but that’s what are your but that’s what you said, I didn’t remember [where]. The President has already said that he was ready to put American troops in Venezuela.”
Refusing to let Duckworth slander Trump, the sevretary of state fired back, “No, I think the President said that he retains the right as commander in chief to protect the United States against any imminent threats. Maybe that involves troops. Maybe that involves air power.”
Building on that point he added, “We hope, but we don’t anticipate that being the case in Venezuela.” The Democrat whined, ” I worry that you are playing fast and loose with our nation,” stammering, “Well, I just want, I just want to conclude by…”
Refuting her point, Rubio said, “Yeah, but I just gave you testimony on how well things are moving forward.” Duckerworth asserted, “Not so fast. Also, you said that in six or nine months, if things don’t go well, you’re gonna have to do something else. And the President’s already said that he’s not ruling out the military option. And you’ve also just said that, yes, we are at war.”
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Clearly annoyed, Rubio fired back with an epic retort that went massively viral on social media. “And I gave you a very specific example. Every President retains the right to defend the United States against an imminent threat,” he noted.
Watch the dramatic clip here:
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT—MARCO RUBIO JUST CALLED OUT NASTY SENATOR DUCKWORTH ON HER LIES
“WHEN DID THE PRESIDENT SAY THAT?!?” pic.twitter.com/VSuSZ397hZ
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen) January 28, 2026
Reacting to a clip of the incident on social media, one woman noted, “@SenDuckworth just because you scream doesn’t mean you’re right…. You just got caught in your lies… you said there are troops on the ground & are at war when we’re not how anybody believes you fools anymore is beyond me”
Featured image from embedded video