From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have arrived in New York after U.S. forces seized them from their home in an extraordinary military operation.
Video shared Saturday night by the White House showed Maduro being perp walked in at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he will be held before his first court appearance – which could be as early as Monday.
In the video, Maduro is seen in a black hoodie, walking down a hallway with a blue carpet labeled “DEA NYD” and wishes one onlooker a “Happy New Year.”
Following his capture, President Donald Trump said the U.S. will run Venezuela for now and earlier shared a photograph of Maduro in handcuffs en route to New York, where he has been indicted with several offenses, including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy.
The president was pressed by reporters about who would be running Venezuela during the transition period and offered few details on who exactly would be in charge.
More than 150 aircraft, including several fighter jets, helicopters and bombers, launched from 20 different points after Trump gave the order Friday night, with service members from across the military branches.
Meanwhile, Democrats have accused the president of launching the sweeping military action because of oil, not drugs.
With reporting from Rosali Hernandez in Caracas
Deadly stabbings, “barbaric” living conditions and maggots in the food: this is the state of the notorious New York City prison that ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro calls home.
Maduro was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Saturday night, just hours after the U.S. military attack on his country, and will stay there until he faces trial on several charges, including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy.
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 04:45
Tony Dokoupil has had a busy first day as host of CBS Evening News, after the network brought his start date forward two days in response to the U.S. military action in Venezuela.
“Good evening, great to be with you tonight, two days earlier than expected with that major breaking news – news that could shape the year, maybe even the century,” Dokoupil said at the top of the show.
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 04:33
In an update Saturday night, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said that restrictions around the Caribbean airspace would be expiring at 12:00am ET, allowing flights to resume.
“Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions,” Duffy wrote on X.
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 04:12
Democrat Cory Booker has blasted Congress over its “stunning absence of accountability” for repeatedly failing to “check” Donald Trump and the actions of his administration.
“Again and again, the president has exceeded his authority, defied congressional intent, trampled the separation of powers, and broken the law – while Congress looked away in cowardice and submission,” Booker wrote in a lengthy post on X Saturday.
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 04:08
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained that the Trump administration did not need permission from Congress to carry out attacks in Venezuela, but said that it would “be involved” in future decisions/
“This was a law enforcement exercise that was the Department of War in support of the Department of Justice pulling out an indicted person who ultimately will face justice,” Hegseth told CBS Evening News Saturday.
“And Marco [Rubio] was clear there that this is not something you notify Congress about beforehand. but were there to be more or extensions to this? Of course, we’ll keep Congress involved.”
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 03:55
Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodriguez will assume the powers and duties of acting president, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro
The order from Venezuela’s Supreme Court was announced on Saturday night local time, and stated that Maduro is in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.”
Rodriguez will “assume and exercise, as acting president, all the powers, duties, and faculties inherent to the office of president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation,” according to the order, given by Justice Tania D’Amelio.
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 03:46
In a post Saturday evening, former vice president Kamala Harris slammed Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela, saying they “do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.”
“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise,” she said. “We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.
“The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to.
“This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.”
Harris added: “The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home.
“America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and — most importantly — putting the American people first.”
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 03:35
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 03:14
President Donald Trump says the United States will “run” Venezuela after a military operation captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife, shocking the world with an overnight attack that marked the culmination of a months-long pressure campaign against the nation’s leader.
The U.S. president said an interim “group” with top administration officials will “run” the country for “a period of time” until the United States determines a “peaceful and just transition” can take place.
Alex Woodward looks at what comes next:
Mike Bedigan4 January 2026 03:00