Lawmakers returning to the U.S. Capitol this week are asking what is next for Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela and its people following the Venezuelan leaders capture in a weekend U.S. military operation. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in charge of the country, but it remains unclear what that means.

Maduro is expected to make his first court appearance Monday in New York City, facing charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation and machine gun possession.

In a joint statement Sunday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the operation to apprehend Maduro required months of coordination, detailed planning, and seamless execution across multiple components of the federal government.

RELATED STORY | Timeline: From boat strikes to Caracas raid how U.S. forces captured Maduro

The mission was conducted to support an ongoing criminal prosecution tied to large-scale narcotics trafficking and related offenses that have fueled violence, destabilized the region, and contributed directly to the drug crisis claiming American lives, Bondi added.

President Donald Trump announced Maduros capture Saturday morning following the overnight operation. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, now serving as acting president, called the arrest barbaric and demanded his immediate release.

Trump issued a warning to Rodriguez in an interview with The Atlantic.

If she doesnt do whats right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro, he said.

Democratic lawmakers are questioning Trumps remarks that the United States will run Venezuela for now, raising concerns about potential costs to American taxpayers and whether a long-term U.S. military presence is planned in the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Maduro's capture, but said the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela and rejected the notion that the U.S. plans to take over the country.

RELATED STORY | 'We are going to run the country,' Trump declares after capturing Venezuela's Maduro

"Here's the bottom line on it: we expect to see changes in Venezuela," Rubio said in a weekend interview. "Changes of all kinds long-term and short-term we'd love to see all kinds of changes. But the most immediate changes are the ones that are in the national interest of the United States. That's why we're involved here because of how it applies and has a direct impact on the United States."

Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among the officials expected to provide a classified briefing on the matter to lawmakers Monday evening.

President Donald Trump began 2025 promising sweeping change. Nearly a year into his term, the results show a mix of achievements, setbacks and controversy.

One of Trumps central pledges was to shrink the federal government. To lead that effort, he tapped Elon Musk, the Tesla founder, to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

Musk initially claimed the initiative would cut $2 trillion in federal spending. DOGEs website now says it has saved taxpayers about $214 billion, a figure that has been disputed by multiple economists.

DOGE didnt cut, on net, a single penny of federal spending, said Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank. Federal spending actually went up by $248 billion.

Musk recently described the effort as somewhat successful, but said he would not take on the role again.

Securing the southern border was another major campaign promise. According to the Department of Homeland Security, illegal border crossings are down 93% year over year. The agency also says more than 2.5 million people who were in the country illegally have left amid the administrations enforcement crackdown.

Trumps deportation efforts, however, have drawn criticism. The Scripps News Group has documented allegations of expired food, undrinkable water and limited access to attorneys at some immigration detention facilities.

Immigration and the economy were widely seen as key factors in Trumps election. Just like in other areas, assessments about the economy vary.

Gas prices have fallen, with the national average dropping below $3 a gallon for the first time in four years. Wall Street has also posted historic gains.

At the same time, unemployment has reached a four-year high, inflation has increased with economists citing tariffs as a contributing factor and economic confidence has fallen to a 17-month low, according to Gallup.

Restoring trust in government was also among Trumps pledges. He has sought to do that by restructuring the Department of Justice and appointing public health officials who are pushing for vaccine reforms.

Still, controversial pardons, prosecutions of political rivals and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history have fueled public skepticism.

According to the Pew Research Center, just 17% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do what is right most of the time or always.

The fallout over Fridays release of the Epstein files by the Justice Department continues to ripple through Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers threatening to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for failing to meet a congressional deadline to release all the files.

The newly public documents related to the convicted sex offender include flight logs naming President Donald Trump. But many files were heavily redacted, frustrating lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The laws co-sponsors Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. are now threatening contempt proceedings against Bondi.

RELATED STORY | Congressmen behind Epstein files law draft articles of impeachment for AG Bondi

Bondi on Sunday defended the DOJs cooperation, saying the agency will continue working to ensure justice is served.

The Department of Justice previously stated we will bring charges against anyone involved in the trafficking and exploitation of Jeffrey Epsteins victims, Bondi said in a statement. We reaffirm this commitment, and ask any victim to please come forward with any information pertaining to any individuals who engaged in illicit activity at their expense. We have met with many victims and victims groups, and will continue to do so if more reach out.

While President Trump remains in Florida for an extended holiday, one newly released photo from the files showing a younger Trump generated questions over the weekend when the DOJ briefly removed it from its website before reposting a day later without explanation.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | At least 16 Epstein files removed from DOJ site, including image of Trump

U.S. Rep. James Clayburn, D-S.C., voiced doubts that the redacted documents will ever be fully released.

I dont expect them to ever release the documents because I dont think the Supreme Court will ever make them do it, he said.

Former President Bill Clinton was featured prominently in the file release but his spokesperson said he is being made a scapegoat by the Justice Department. Clinton has long denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Sunday that Clinton should address the newly uncovered photographs.

WATCH | What do we know about redactions in the Epstein files?

The Department of Justice released hundreds of pages of Jeffrey Epstein case files on Friday, but the heavily redacted documents have drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who say the release falls short of what Congress demanded.

The files were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, authored by Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie, which passed Congress nearly unanimously last month. The law gave the DOJ 30 days to release the documents after President Trump signed it on November 19.

However, one key document 119 pages of grand jury testimony was completely redacted, prompting immediate backlash from lawmakers.

RELATED STORY | Limited Epstein files release includes redactions, images of notable figures

"The DOJ's document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law Thomas Massey and I passed," Khanna said on social media.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche submitted a letter to Congress explaining the redactions, citing child abuse and sexual exploitation images, as well as ongoing investigations. One of those ongoing investigations allegedly involves former President Bill Clinton.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson responded to Democratic criticism, saying, "We did see something in these files. Just not what you wanted to see." Jackson then referenced images of Clinton that appeared in the released documents.

The release has reignited questions about why wealthy and powerful individuals maintained relationships with Epstein. Howard Lutnick, now in Trump's cabinet, previously described Epstein as "a creep" and said he knew about his reputation when Epstein was his neighbor.

The question that has to be asked is why were so many rich and powerful people appearing differently with Jeffrey Epstein as opposed to what Howard Lutnick saw.

Earlier Friday, Democrats had explored legal options and a potential lawsuit after Blanche announced the full files would not be released by the end of the day, saying the DOJ needed more time for redactions.

RELATED STORY | Minimal mention of Trump in Justice Departments initial Epstein file release

Victims' advocates have long pushed for transparency in the case. They argue that despite today's release, they still lack adequate legal representation and justice from the Department of Justice.

The victims have funded their own Capitol Hill appearances and news conferences out of their own pockets as they continue seeking accountability in the case.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) faces a Friday deadline to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged accomplices, as required under a new federal law signed by President Donald Trump.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed Nov. 19, set a 30-day countdown for the DOJ to make the records public. The law passed Congress with near-unanimous support, but questions remain about how much will be disclosed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Third judge approves unsealing of Epstein grand jury materials

The legislation states it is An Act to require the Attorney General to release all documents and records in possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein. It also makes clear that no record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary."

However, several exemptions remain. The DOJ may withhold records that contain personal information of victims, depict or contain child sexual abuse materials, involve victims medical files, or would jeopardize ongoing investigations or prosecutions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Justice Department will follow the law. But on Tuesday, Democrats in Washington expressed concern the Trump administration could misuse those exemptions to keep key information hidden.

If they abuse narrow exemptions, we will know, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. And there will be serious legal and political consequences.

The DOJ is not the only agency releasing new Epstein-related material. In recent days, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published photographs showing Epstein alongside various celebrities including President Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

RELATED STORY | Exprosecutor: Release of Epstein photos fuel speculation, not charges

The committee has been investigating Epstein for months and has given Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dates in January to sit for a deposition. Members have threatened to hold them in contempt if they do not appear. The Clintons have long denied wrongdoing, as has President Trump.

I mean, everybody knew this man, the president recently stated. He was all over Palm Beach. He has photos with everybody. I mean, almost there are hundreds and hundreds of people that have photos with him, so thats no big deal.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve the National Defense Authorization Act an annual federal law that sets defense policy priorities and spending.

RELATED STORY | Global military spending reaches highest rate since the Cold War, report says

The legislation, totaling roughly $900 billion this year, passed by a vote of 312-112 and will now head to the Senate. Here are key provisions in the 3,086-page legislation:

Troop pay raise

Enlisted service members would receive a 4% pay increase. For a typical service member earning $50,000 annually, thats an extra $2,000.

No IVF coverage for military families

After intense lobbying, in vitro fertilization coverage for military families remains excluded from the bill a move reproductive rights advocates strongly oppose.

"It is shameful that Members of Congress and Congressional staff enjoy access to comprehensive fertility benefits while they continue to deny this same coverage to military families," the American Society for Reproductive Medicine said in a statement.

Golden Dome missile defense funding

The bill funds the completion of the so-called Golden Dome, a missile defense system inspired by Israels Iron Dome, designed to intercept incoming threats. It would cover the entire United States.

Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, who leads the project, said the U.S. version would be far larger than Israels.

"They are defending an area the size of New Jersey so we are defending a mcuh greater area than what Israel is challenged with," he said. "... We will deliver that capability in [2028] to protect the homeland."

Limits on troop reductions in Europe

The measure restricts President Trumps ability to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe and provides $800 million in military aid to Ukraine.

Accountability for strikes on drug-smuggling boats

The legislation requires the release of videos showing recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, mostly in the Caribbean. If the footage is withheld, funding for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths travel budget would be cut.

Hegseth has said the Department of Defense is reviewing the footage but has not indicated whether it will be released.

WATCH | Congress questions admiral about alleged illegal follow-up attack on drug boat survivors

With thousands of American service members now stationed in the Caribbean, many are asking what is driving the growing tension between the United States and Venezuela.

President Donald Trump has ordered airspace around Venezuela closed and said Tuesday that land strikes on countries producing illegal narcotics could begin soon. Trump recently spoke with Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro but has released few details about the call.

Tensions Rising

The Navys most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Ford, remains positioned in the Caribbean. Nearly 15,000 sailors and Marines are stationed in the region the largest presence there in generations.

In Washington, the White House recently designated top Venezuelan officials as members of a foreign terrorist organization for alleged ties to the drug trade. The Pentagon says it has carried out 21 strikes on boats in recent months, killing 82 people.

RELATED STORY | Hegseth defends double boat strike as Trump says operations could extend to land

Much of the current strain centers on Maduro, 63, who has led Venezuela since 2013. A former union leader and bus driver, he succeeded Hugo Chvez, whose presidency from 1999 until his death in 2013 marked a deep deterioration in U.S.-Venezuelan relations. The United States does not recognize Maduros most recent election, citing fraud allegations.

Historical Tension

Chvez frequently blamed the United States for the countrys economic and political problems, a strategy Maduro has continued.

Victory forever, Maduro declared at a recent rally.

We consider Venezuela to be not a very friendly country, President Trump told reporters over the weekend.

The rocky relationship between the two nations has a long history. In 2002, Chvez accused the Bush administration of orchestrating an attempted coup. In 2015, President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Venezuela over human rights abuses. In 2018, the Trump administration labeled Maduros re-election that year a sham. And in 2025, shortly before leaving office, President Joe Biden offered a $25 million reward for Maduros arrest.

RELATED STORY | Trump confirms the CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela

"The Maduro administration radicalized very quickly," said Javier Corrales, a Venezuela politics expert at Amherst College.

Corrales said Maduros economic policies and lack of fair elections have contributed to mass migration and the expansion of the countrys illegal drug trade, problems that have frustrated President Trump. Venezuela has also deepened ties with China by selling Venezuelan oil.

Maduro's hyper radicalization involved becoming a mean dictator, incredibly oppressive. Also, a government destroying the private sector, Corrales said. By all accounts, he is an incredibly unpopular president.

What Comes Next

Any U.S. land strike on Venezuela or any significant effort to remove Maduro would represent a major escalation. Corrales cautions that while the U.S. military is far more capable, Venezuelas armed forces are among the largest in the Americas.

The Trump administration could be blind to all the things that could go wrong here, Corrales said.

He added, It's not automatic that getting rid of a ponzi scheme could generate a reset that will bring order and stability.

President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Russia on Monday as negotiations accelerate over a possible agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

The trip follows a weekend of talks in Florida, where Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials met with a Ukrainian delegation to advance the Trump administrations peace plan. Key issues, including potential territorial concessions and Ukraines long-term security, remain unresolved.

RELATED STORY | Rubio says US-Ukraine talks on Russia war were productive but much work remains in search of a deal

In a brief social media statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the discussions as very constructive.

Attention now turns to Moscow, where Witkoff is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials. A central question whether Russia is willing to compromise on the most contentious points of the negotiations or maintain a take-it-or-leave-it approach.

One of the thorniest disputes involves control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Russia has held parts of the territory amid intense fighting.

RELATED STORY | Zelenskyy says Ukraine faces choice of losing dignity or risking loss of key partner with US plan

Other major sticking points include Ukraines future military posture and its aspirations to join NATO. Russia argues that a stronger Ukrainian military near its borders poses a threat, while Ukraine insists it must be able to defend itself.

The White House continues to strike an optimistic tone. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said both sides want the war to end, despite difficult problems that remain.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is in France meeting with European leaders to discuss potential peace terms. His trip comes amid a week of political strain in Kyiv, where corruption scandals involving government officials have drawn renewed scrutiny.

Despite diplomatic momentum, fighting continues. Recent strikes in Ukraine left at least four people dead and dozens injured, according to local reports.

Trump has signaled he wants a resolution to the war within his first year in office. He campaigned on ending the conflict on day one, but negotiations have proved far more complex.

The push for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal by U.S. President Donald Trump continues, but more clarity on Russias position may not come until next week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump face consequential decisions in the days ahead that could determine whether the largest and deadliest war in Europe since the end of World War II extends into another calendar year.

"We won't know for a little while, but we're making progress," President Trump said Tuesday night.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING | A deal to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine is taking shape, but critical details are still in the dark

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the president expressed optimism, noting Zelensky appears more receptive than ever to the undisclosed terms apart from a few details. Attention now turns to Moscow to see if Putin will agree to recent changes in the peace proposal.

President Trump said senior adviser Steve Witkoff likely will meet with Putin next week to learn more, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials at the same time to get immediate feedback on any changes.

"They're going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe, next week in Moscow," President Trump said. "...You know what the deadline for me is when it's over. And I think everybody's tired of fighting at this moment."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump, Rubio see hope after Swiss peace talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war

One possibility for the deal is the creation of a demilitarized zone land kept neutral to prevent future fighting. While the DMZ separating North and South Korea is one of the most well-known, many have been established to halt violence after wars.

President Trump has said he wants to meet with Putin and Zelenskyy in person again, but only when the parties are extremely close to finalizing an agreement.

Several commercial flights to Venezuela have been canceled in recent days after the Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots to exercise caution when flying near the country due to the risk of heightened military activity.

The caution follows a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. The Navys Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has moved into the region, coinciding with recent strikes by the Trump administration on numerous small boats alleged to be trafficking drugs illegally. Those strikes have killed more than 80 people.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING | Trump admin to designate cartel linked to Venezuela's Maduro as terrorist organization

Trump to designate Maduro-tied Venezuelan cartel as terrorist organization

The Trump administration maintains the operations target drug traffickers, but the show of force has prompted speculation over whether the actions are aimed at regime change. The U.S. does not recognize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the countrys legitimate leader and says the nations most recent elections were rigged.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday moved to designate Maduro's senior government leaders as a foreign terrorist organization a move that gives President Donald Trump new tools to impose additional economic sanctions.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump confirms the CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela

With a strong military presence now in the region, questions have arisen over whether potential land seizures or even war with Venezuela could be possible. But it could also just be additional pressure on Maduro to step down.

Maduro last week said he wants peace and that war is never the answer, though Venezuelan forces have been carrying out military exercises within the country.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on legislation to reopen the federal government, putting an end to the longest shutdown in American history.

However, it won't just be the length of this shutdown that is remembered. It will also be the cost.

ADDING UP THE COSTS

It isn't necessarily easy to put a price tag on the federal government being shuttered since October 1. After all, families have struggled following the loss of food benefits and missed flights to family gatherings.

Wendy Edelberg knows something about the cost of shutdowns. For years, she served as the chief economist at the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Edelberg calculated the loss of the last shutdown in 2018 and 2019.

RELATED STORY | Supreme Court allows Trump administration to continue limiting SNAP payments

"It will be the most expensive shutdown in history," Edelberg said.

Estimates vary from group to group, but the estimated cost to the economy of this shutdown is anywhere between $10 billion and $15 billion.

"The part that we never get back is the work that these federal workers should have been doing if they had been on the job," Edelberg said.

Edelberg says when federal workers receive back pay, SNAP food assistance benefits are paid, airports return to normal, and the federal government begins buying again, the economy should rebound from the recent loss.

Edelberg fears the impacts of this shutdown may linger because of a demoralized federal workforce.

"If you have basically knee-capped the federal workforce, you can see a less productive federal government going forward," Ederlberg warns.

There has also been a political cost to this shutdown.

RELATED STORY | Travel delays mount as FAA continues to reduce operations at major airports

On October 1, the approval rating for Congress was 28%, according to Real Clear Politics' polling average. As of November 10, it has dropped to 18%

That could affect politics in next year's midterms.

The health care impacts of this shutdown are relevant as well. After all, the deal to reopen the government did not produce any health insurance policy changes that Democrats fought for during the shutdown.

Expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of this year are projected to result in 4.2 million Americans dropping coverage because premium costs are too high, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

KFF, a health care policy group, estimates that Obamacare insurers are raising premiums on the insurance marketplace by 26% on average.

Frustration among Democrats on Capitol Hill is mounting after eight moderate senators broke ranks to support a Republican-led bill aimed at reopening the government without concessions on expiring health care subsidies.

The measure a short-term funding bill passed despite Democratic demands for an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits to prevent steep health insurance cost increases next year.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Shutdown bill clears Senate hurdle; House Democrats push back over ACA subsidies

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who opposed the bill, urged Democrats to not give up the fight. But his inability to stop eight members of his own party from backing the measure has fueled discontent within Democratic ranks.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pressing Democrats in his chamber not to vote to advance the bill. He warned that the ACA subsidies, set to expire at the end of this year, now appear certain to lapse.

According to the nonpartisan health care policy foundation KFF, insurers are expected to raise premiums by an estimated 26% once the subsidies expire. No legislative fix appears imminent.

RELATED STORY | ACA marketplace premiums could rise even more without congressional action

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to hold a vote on extending the ACA tax credits. But Democrats call that promise meaningless, saying they expect no Republican support. Many GOP lawmakers have criticized the subsidies, which were created in 2021 under then-President Bidens American Rescue Plan and later extended under the Inflation Reduction Act.

While Democrats lost the fight to include the subsidies in the funding bill, they gained an issue for the 2026 midterm elections. Health care is likely to be a central theme as they aim to regain control of Congress.

The U.S. Senate voted late Sunday to advance a stopgap funding bill aimed at ending the federal government shutdown, now in its 41st day.

The bipartisan compromise between centrist Democrats and Republicans funds much of the government through January 30, 2026, ensures backpay for federal employees and reverses recent mass layoffs. The measure also secures funding for certain programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps.

RELATED STORY | A shutdown deal without a health care guarantee would Democrats take it?

While most Democrats opposed the weekend deal, enough joined Republicans to meet the 60-vote threshold needed to avoid a filibuster. The vote took place on a day when more than 2,000 airline flights were canceled nationwide and roughly 7,000 others were delayed.

The agreement does not extend subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act a major priority for many Democrats during the shutdown. Without those subsidies, Americans face higher premiums as open enrollment begins.

President Donald Trump signaled over the weekend he would not support extending the subsidies, though Republicans have promised future votes on the issue. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York reiterated his opposition to the deal.

"We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Health Care Act tax subsidies," Jeffries said in a statement. "We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where [House Speaker] Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Government shutdown is now longest on record

For millions of Americans facing uncertainty over groceries, travel or paychecks, the Senates action is a welcome sign after weeks of political deadlock. With cloture invoked, the Senate now moves into limited debate before a final vote, which would only require a simple majority.

If approved, the package would then head to the House where Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet said whether he supports the framework before reaching President Donald Trumps desk.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 and is now the longest in U.S. history. The Senate has held more than a dozen votes during the standoff, as Democrats insisted on protecting Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at years end, while Republicans argued that broader health care negotiations should come after the government reopens.