President Trump‘s dramatic intervention in Venezuela has drawn sharp reactions across Washington, but the move has also earned public backing from an unexpected voice in sport.
Golf legend Greg Norman weighed in this week, applauding the administration’s decision and framing it as a decisive display of American leadership.
Trump announced earlier this month that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured in a United States led operation and transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where they pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and related charges.
Describing the mission, Trump said, “Last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela.
It was an operation against a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice.”
Norman, a two time Open Championship winner, offered his perspective during an appearance on Fox & Friends, praising both the execution and intent behind the action.
“He’s true to his word. And I said this during his first term, I’ve known quite a few presidents but he’s the first president I’ve spent time with that has true stars and stripes flowing through his blood,” Norman said.
“So, what he did in Venezuela, I applaud it. That timing, the execution of it just showed the pure strength and the might and the will of the United States to protect their hemisphere and they should protect their backyard.”
The comments immediately pushed the normally reserved golf icon into a broader political conversation, highlighting how high profile athletes and former athletes are increasingly willing to weigh in on global issues.
Athlete support collides with mounting pressure on Capitol Hill
Norman was not alone in voicing approval. New England Patriots kicker Andy Borregales, who was born in Caracas, described the news as deeply personal for his family.
“I was half asleep. My wife told me, ‘We just captured Maduro’ and I was like ‘What?! What are you talking about?’ Then I saw the news,” Borregales said.
“At the end of the day, a lot of us Venezuelans are happy. It’s been 26 years of hardship. That’s why my parents had to leave and came here. I’m in support of Maduro’s capture. My whole family had to move out.”
While praise has emerged from the sports world, political resistance has intensified in Washington. The Senate is preparing to vote on a war powers resolution that would restrict the president’s authority to carry out further military action in Venezuela.
Trump has openly criticized lawmakers who supported advancing the measure, calling the operation a success and questioning why it faces opposition. Republican leaders have attempted to downplay the legislation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “We have no troops on the ground in Venezuela. We’re not currently conducting military operations there. Democrats are taking up this bill because their anti Trump hysteria knows no bounds.”
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