Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑Ga.) used a CNN interview on her final day in Congress to sharply criticize the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, arguing that U.S. leaders should prioritize domestic issues over foreign intervention.
Speaking with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Greene addressed the United States’ controversial military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the broader question of America’s involvement in Venezuelan governance. President Trump had indicated the U.S. might temporarily “run” Venezuela following Maduro’s ouster — a stance Greene opposed.
Greene said that while she welcomed Maduro’s removal, she questioned the direction of a policy she viewed as inconsistent with the “America First” platform she had supported. “America First is what matters most, and the American people matter most,” Greene said, emphasizing that the United States was elected to address domestic challenges rather than governing another nation.
She argued that America should leave Venezuela’s future in the hands of its own people rather than asserting control: “Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan people, and they should elect their own government leaders,” Greene said. Greene also reiterated her belief that the administration should concentrate on issues like healthcare, jobs and national debt, rather than foreign policy entanglements. “We very much need our government and our government leaders to focus on the American people and the issues that we care about on Main Street, USA,” she told Collins.
Her remarks reflect a broader critique within parts of the Republican base about the Trump administration’s foreign policy choices, with Greene suggesting that regime change efforts abroad have historically proved costly and misaligned with voters’ priorities.
