The mainstream media have been visibly upset over President Trump’s administration executing a triumphant law enforcement mission that led to the capture of socialist leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This development has sparked a wave of reactions, especially from those who closely scrutinize U.S. foreign policy.

In light of this, Margaret Brennan from CBS’s “Face the Nation” questioned why the operation didn’t result in more arrests. It seems that no matter the outcome, some critics remain unsatisfied.

Appearing on the show, Secretary of State Marco Rubio found the premise of Brennan’s inquiry almost laughable, describing it as “absurd.” His reaction highlighted the ongoing debate over the operation’s scope and effectiveness.

Brennan specifically queried why other significant figures, such as Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, were not apprehended. Her questions pointed to the complexities of dismantling a regime deeply entwined with narcoterrorism.

“I’m confused,” Brennan admitted. “Are they still wanted by the United States? Why didn’t you arrest them if you are taking out the narcoterrorist regime?” Her questions underscore the challenges and expectations that come with such high-stakes international actions.

“I’m confused. Are they still wanted by the United States? Why didn’t you arrest them if you are taking out the narcoterrorist regime?” she asked.

It’s like arresting Al Capone while simultaneously complaining that law enforcement didn’t grab some underlings like Johnny “Three Thumbs” and Sal “Pasta la Vista” at the very same time.

Brennan genuinely believed she had a gotcha moment here. But Rubio politely pointed out why the question was ridiculous while seemingly amused that she was “confused” over the matter.

“You’re confused?” he shot back. “I don’t know why that’s confusing to you.”

The Secretary of State then went on to point out the complexity of the operation and criticized Brennan for simply assuming they could do it a few more times without any hassle.

.@SecRubio: “It is not easy to land a helicopter in the middle of the largest military base… kick down his door, grab him, put him in handcuffs, read him his rights, put him in a helicopter… and you’re asking me why we didn’t do that in five other places at the same time!?” pic.twitter.com/Pm9Jy1AKp3

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 4, 2026

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“You’re going to go in and suck up five people? Okay,” a clearly irked Rubio countered. “They’re already complaining about this one operation. Imagine the howls we would have from everybody else if we actually had to go and stay there four days to capture four other people.”

He noted that the U.S. “got the top priority” in a man who had illegitimately claimed to be the president of Venezuela.

“The number one person on the list was the guy who claimed to be the president of the country that he was not, and he was arrested along with his wife, who was also indicted,” he continued. “And that was a pretty sophisticated and, frankly, complicated operation.”

Margaret Brennan may not be the most biased Sunday morning host (that’s obviously George), but she has a hard perennial lock on dumbest. Rubio has to hold back laughter. https://t.co/m05VIvea08

— Benjamin Domenech (@bdomenech) January 4, 2026

“It is not easy to land helicopters in the middle of the largest military base in the country. The guy lived on a military base,” Rubio said, describing the intricacies of the mission. “Land within three minutes, kick down his door, grab him, put him in handcuffs, read him his rights, put him in a helicopter, and leave the country without losing any American or any American assets – that’s not an easy mission.”

“And you’re asking me why didn’t we do that in five other places at the same time? I mean, that’s absurd.”

Let me boil down what Brennan is saying here—The capture of Maduro is terrible and illegal blah, blah, blah … why didn’t you do it several more times? 

Just confoundingly idiotic. Rubio, to his credit, handled it like a champ.

As for Brennan, this is the same woman who tried to tell Rubio in a previous interview that Hitler rose to power when he “weaponized free speech.”

Maduro and his wife were indicted on a range of charges in the Southern District of New York, and may make an initial court appearance as early as Monday.

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