Texas leaders and state lawmakers' reactions poured in Saturday after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured and flown out of the country en route to New York.

Mr. Trump said the United States had carried out a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela during an overnight military operation.

Maduro has been under indictment in the U.S. since 2020 for narcoterrorism.

During his remarks from Mar-a-Lago late Saturday morning, Mr. Trump said the U.S. would "run the country" of Venezuela until a safe transition of power happens.

Texas has the second-largest population of Venezuelans in the U.S., behind Florida, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey. An estimated 122,000 Venezuelans live in Texas, with approximately 20,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.    

Gov. Greg Abbott

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised the Trump administration by reposting a social media post from the White House on the operation to capture Maduro. Abbott's caption read, "Maduro is an indicted narco terrorist. His drug trafficking operation cost the lives of many Americans. His release of Tren de Aragua gang members from VZ prisons terrorized American communities & killed my fellow Texans. Texas and the world are better because of his capture. God bless our United States military, and their commander-in-chief, Donald Trump."

Attorney General Ken Paxton

Attorney General Ken Paxton shared a post from Vice President JD Vance, in which Vance said, "The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States. Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says."

In a caption along with the post, Paxton called the Trump administration's actions "strong work."

Sen.John Cornyn

Following Mr. Trump's press conference from Mar-a-Lago, Sen. John Cornyn gave his "kudos" to the president.

"Maduro was not only an illegitimate President of Venezuela, he was the head of the Cartel de los Soles, a major drug trafficking network involving high-ranking Venezuelan military officers and government officials. He has been indicted in the Southern District of New York for narco-terrorism conspiracy and other crimes. His association with the Iranian regime and its proxy, Hezbollah, helped fund terrorism in South America and the Middle East, and he was complicit with the 'ghost fleets' of Russia, Iran, and China, used to evade US sanctions and fund the Russian war on Ukraine."

Sen. Ted Cruz

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who is a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement where he, too, applauded the president.

"The Venezuelan regime has for decades posed an acute threat to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of Americans, and Nicolás Maduro himself was a corrupt dictator and thug who systematically oppressed the people of Venezuela and threatened America and our allies. Domestically, he was straightforwardly illegitimate. Internationally, he supported American enemies across the globe, Islamist terrorists, and narcoterrorists. Maduro facilitated, enabled, and profited from flooding the United States with drugs that injured and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Removing him from power will save countless lives and serve as a warning to all others targeting Americans. From the opening months of my time serving in the Senate, I have worked to counter Maduro's threat to the American people, secure legitimate rule in Venezuela, and restore the country as an American ally within the Western Hemisphere. I applaud President Trump for his leadership, and I am deeply grateful to our service members for their execution of this operation. Heidi and I are praying in thanks and for the quick and full recovery of our injured."

Rep. Jasmine Crockett

In opposition, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, of Dallas, said, "Trump promised no 'new stupid wars,' yet he's starting one with Venezuela without congressional approval. People can't afford groceries and millions are losing health care, but this is where his focus is. This is unconstitutional and not what the American people asked for."

Rep. James Talarico

Democratic Rep. James Talarico, of Austin, who's running for the same Texas Senate seat as Crockett, shared that he, too, believed the Trump administration's actions were corrupt. 

In a statement, he said, " Last year, Trump promised American oil executives 'a great deal' if they donated $1 billion to his campaign. Today, he gave them Venezuela — home to the largest oil reserves in the world. The president is putting American troops in harm's way for a deeply corrupt deal."

Rep. Julie Johnson

Democratic Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch condemned the Trump Administration's military action in Venezuela, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous.

In a statement, Johnson said, "Two things can be true at once: Nicolás Maduro is a dictator who has enabled drug trafficking into the United States, and the President's unauthorized military action in Venezuela is a clear violation of the Constitution and international law. Just weeks ago, the Administration told Congress that regime change was not its objective in Venezuela. They lied. History has shown us that regime change – even when framed as necessary or well-intentioned – carries serious and often devastating consequences. We are now watching the same reckless playbook unfold again, with no clear plan for what comes next and no consideration for the destabilizing effects this could have across the region. Congressional oversight exists to ensure there is a clear strategy, accountability, and that American lives are not put at unnecessary risk. The President lacked the legal authority to carry out this operation. This is an abuse of executive power, and Congress must act to reassert its constitutional role and prevent further unlawful military action."

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher

Democratic Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, of Houston, also called out Mr. Trump's actions for violating the United States Constitution, saying it "sets a dangerous precedent for national sovereignty."

In a statement, Fletcher said, "President Maduro's authoritarian government was illegitimate and oppressive.  But President Trump's statements today made clear that be believes he has the unilateral authority to depose foreign leaders and take over foreign countries.  He does not. The Constitution gives the Congress—the representatives of the American people—the sole authority and the solemn responsibility to declare war.  The Trump administration did not seek Congress' authority to launch the strikes on Venezuela and Congress did not authorize it.  The multiple rationales the administration put forward to justify its actions raised more questions than they answered. The Trump administration must immediately and fully brief Congress and answer questions from the representatives of the American people.  Americans deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that honors and protects our democratic system of government, our Constitution, our fellow citizens, and our national security."