President Donald Trump traveled to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Friday to honor the elite U.S. forces who carried out Operation Absolute Resolve — the daring mission that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and demonstrated America’s unmatched military power.
Speaking before service members and their families at one of the nation’s largest military bases, Trump praised the operators for their courage and precision, even in the face of enemy fire. “They were hit pretty bad in the legs,” Trump said, referring to three helicopter pilots wounded during the high-risk insertion under machine-gun fire. The president described how they were touching down in a “big chopper and then being shot at some close range by machine gun,” before the threat was quickly neutralized.
Despite the injuries, Trump underscored the success of the mission. “That night, the entire world saw what they call military — my U.S. military — is capable of,” he said. “That was an unbelievable operation.”
Nearly 200 U.S. troops participated in the mission, and while several were injured, no American lives were lost during the capture of Maduro — a dramatic outcome that speaks to the planning, training, and bravery of the joint force.
The precision and scale of Operation Absolute Resolve marked one of the most significant displays of American combat capability in decades. The operation drew on months of patient intelligence work, coordination across multiple service branches, and overwhelming air and electronic warfare support — all designed to isolate and capture a hostile foreign leader with minimal casualties.
Trump also highlighted what he called a game-changing technological edge, noting the deployment of a secret weapon he nicknamed the “discombobulator.” According to the president, this system helped neutralize Venezuelan communications and defense equipment — including Russian and Chinese systems — leaving Maduro’s forces unable to mount an effective response. “None of their equipment works. That’s what it does.”
Trump also took time to praise Republican leadership down-ballot. He singled out Michael Whatley, former RNC chair and current Senate candidate in North Carolina, telling the crowd, “If he gets in, you’re going to be taken care of. If he doesn’t get in, we’re going to be stripped in the military like they always do, the Democrats.”
On domestic symbolism, Trump reiterated his warning that if Democrats regain control in the midterms they could reverse recent military base name changes — including renaming Fort Liberty back — a change he said would undermine troop morale.
First Lady Melania Trump accompanied the president and spent time with military families.
