President Donald Trump announced the capture and arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro early Saturday morning following a "large-scale strike" conducted by the U.S. military on the country's capital city of Caracas.

According to Trump, both Maduro and his wife are now aboard the USS Iwo Jima. The two are bound for New York, where Maduro is expected to be tried for terrorism and weapons charges in the state’s Southern District.

“Yes, the Iwo Jima, they’re on a ship,” Trump told Fox News on Saturday. “They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter in a nice flight — I’m sure they loved it."

"But, they’ve killed a lot of people, remember that," he added.

The surprise operation is drawing praise from Republican officials across the country, including those from the Yellowhammer State.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) commended Trump for ordering the operation, writing on X that the time for the dictator to face charges "head on in a U.S. courtroom" has arrived.

"Nicolás Maduro has faced narco-terrorism charges in the United States for half a decade now, and it’s time he face those charges head-on in a U.S. courtroom," said Aderholt. "I applaud President Trump for carrying out his duties to ensure Maduro and his wife are brought to justice."

"Anyone who kills thousands of American lives as Maduro has done, should be held accountable," added Aderholt.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called Maduro's fallen government an "illegitimate regime" and expressed his gratitude for those who took part in the overnight operation.

"I commend President Trump for taking decisive action to bring Nicolás Maduro to justice," Rogers said. "His illegitimate regime brutalized the Venezuelan people, aligned with hostile adversaries like Cuba, Iran, Russia, and China to threaten U.S. security, and operated a narco-terrorist network that flooded our country with deadly drugs that killed countless Americans."

"I am grateful to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who once again demonstrated the exceptional skill and capability of the U.S. military," he added.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) took to X, thanking Trump, members of law enforcement and the "greatest military in the world" for taking part in the apprehension of Maduro.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), a candidate for Alabama governor, argued that liberals are supporting a "drug trafficking dictator" over Americans and compared Maduro to another Democratic darling, illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

'Yesterday's margaritas with Kilmar Abrego Garcia is today's Maduro," wrote Tuberville. "They'll support a drug trafficking dictator because this was ANOTHER Trump win. Guaranteed."

"Nicolas Maduro is the leader of a TERRORIST gang, and has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans through illegal drugs," he added. "Thank you to the brave service members who have apprehended this CRIMINAL and sacrifice every day to keep America safe. This is what AMERICA FIRST national security looks like. Let this be a warning to ANYONE who threatens our country."

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) applauded the operation, saying Trump's takedown of Maduro will "save countless lives."

"The step taken today by President Trump to take the brutal narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro into custody was bold, courageous, and will save countless lives," stated Britt. "I’m thankful to the members of our military and law enforcement officials who successfully executed this mission and look forward to Maduro having his long-overdue day in court.

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) praised Trump for "holding Maduro accountable" and "putting America first."

"President Trump took decisive action to hold Nicolás Maduro accountable for running a narco-terrorist network that flooded our country with deadly drugs and cost countless American lives," Strong said. "By stopping the flow of drugs and criminal illegals into the United States, he is putting America first and strengthening our national security."

On the Democrat side, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) acknowledged Maduro as "an illegitimate and corrupt leader" but criticized Trump's "reckless actions."

"There is no doubt that Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate and corrupt leader, but President Trump does NOT have the authority to unilaterally invade a sovereign country, capture its leader, and haul them back to the United States," Sewell stated. "His reckless actions threaten to further destabilize the region and put our troops in harm's way while dragging us into another regime-change war against the will of the American people. The fact that he did so without even briefing Congress, let alone seeking congressional approval—as required by the Constitution—is extremely alarming and sets a dangerous precedent."

She continued, "The Trump Administration must immediately explain to Congress and the American people why such an attack was justified and how it plans to ensure stability in the region."

Per Newsmax national security reporter Carla Babb, the operation included U.S. special operations teams, including Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the "Night Stalkers."

According to Trump, while no American lives were lost during the attack, two U.S. soldiers were injured.

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