Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Jan. 4, 2026
CBS News••general
Key Points:
- The Trump administration conducted a top-secret U.S. Delta Force operation in Venezuela, capturing dictator Nicolas Maduro, who is now jailed in Brooklyn facing drug trafficking charges; the mission reportedly killed at least 40 Venezuelans.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized continuing U.S. leverage through an oil quarantine and sanctions to pressure Venezuela's regime, while not ruling out military options but denying plans for a full U.S. occupation.
- Senator Tom Cotton praised the military and intelligence operation, supporting potential follow-up actions against other indicted Venezuelan officials, and expressed cautious optimism about a possible transition to democracy over months.
- Congressman Jim Himes criticized the administration for lack of transparency with Democrats in Congress, questioned the legality of the operation under international law, and warned
