By Matt Rooney
Most of New Jersey’s Democrat-dominated federal delegation reflexively opposed President Trump’s actions in Venezuela over the weekend.
“There’s no plan. They don’t know what they’re doing,” griped Senator Andy Kim. “Figuring out what comes next in Venezuela requires serious effort — one that we should be working on with recognized opposition leaders, allies and partners to deliver security and stability, not one driven by profits for Trump’s friends.”
But Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D, NJ-05) struck a decidedly less negative tone in his own statement released via social media platforms.
”Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate dictator who undermined democracy, enriched himself at the expense of his people, partnered with enemies of the U.S., and led a corrupt, narcolinked regime that destabilized the region and endangered American security,” wrote Gottheimer, a former gubernatorial candidate. “For too long, the Maduro regime has enabled the flow of drugs to America. His capture and removal also deals a significant blow to China, Iran, and Cuba, all of which relied on Maduro as a regional ally.”
“The United States must remain resolute in defending our security around the world,” Gottheimer added.
My statement on U.S. action in Venezuela: pic.twitter.com/OxyOUksvkC
— Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) January 3, 2026
Maybe Gottheimer believes it.
Or maybe he’s playing it safe?
Interestingly, despite winning a statewide landslide and 10 of 12 Garden State congressional districts, Mikie Sherrill *only* won Gottheimer’s Northern New Jersey districy by 6-points last November. Jack Ciattarelli carried Jeff Van Drew’s NJ-02 by only a little bit more (7-points) in the other direction.
Meanwhile, Axios is reporting that some national Democrats are frustrated by their party’s refusal to celebrate the infamous narco-dictator’s downfall.
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MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com’s founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of ‘The Matt Rooney Show’ on 1210 WPHT every Saturday evening from 7-9 PM EST
