Former Navy Jag Officer Don Brown joins to discuss the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, his appearance in federal court in New York, oil optimism and more.

Former Navy JAG officer Don Brown praised the recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, emphasizing the absence of American casualties and equipment loss. Brown compared the operation to past military actions and expressed pride in the Armed Forces' execution.

The discussion addressed legal concerns over the president's authority to act without congressional approval, with Brown citing constitutional provisions and historical precedent. The conversation also touched on potential regional consequences, including the possibility of Cuba's government collapsing due to the loss of Venezuelan support.

Maduro pleads not guilty in federal court

Joining me now to break down the legal aspect of the U.S.'s involvement in Venezuela, former Navy JAG officer at the Pentagon, Don Brown. Don, thank you for joining The Pulse this evening. First, what is your reaction to the flawless capture of dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife? David, thanks for having me. Happy New Year. I'm just so pleased and proud of our U.S. Navy and our Delta Forces and the other units who were involved in this operation by moving in so smoothly in the middle of the night without losing American life, without damage to American equipment. It was one of the most brilliant operations in military history. It took us nine months to root out Saddam back in 2002 when Bush first sent us into Iraq. But this was really just a brilliant move. I can't be more proud of our Armed Forces and my friend Pete Headseth, Secretary of War. Kudos and way to go, guys. I'm really just very, very happy to be a U.S. Navy veteran tonight. I feel that. I didn't serve. I've got family that did. But I tell you, it feels good to be an American tonight. You know, the president is, of course, facing legal backlash from critics for capturing Maduro without congressional approval. But supporters argue that it was bold, decisive, as you shared, and it moved to secure U.S. interests. How do you see the administration's authority to act in this matter? I'm a constitutional guy. I love to read the Constitution and study the relationship between the executive and the legislative with regard to military. Article 2 of the Constitution, Section 2, makes the president of the United States commander in chief of U.S. military forces. There is nothing in the Constitution that requires the president of the United States to consult with Congress prior to an action like this. It is not a declaration of war. There have been five declarations of war only in our nation's history. There have been multiple instances where presidents have used the military to protect American lives and property. You know, this Venezuelan regime was being used to sponsor narco-terrorism. You can go all the way back to the Barbary Pirates War, when Thomas Jefferson sent the Navy and Marine Corps into the Mediterranean to protect American assets there without congressional approval. It is absolutely ridiculous. The president can consult if he wants to. His consultation is going to run the risk of losing American lives in what is otherwise a flawless operation. You move now and consult later. He did exactly the right thing. I'm very proud of him. I'm proud of Secretary Hedges as well. I think the proof that it was necessary to not bring in Congress is the fact that so many Democratic congressmen and senators are saying, what was this? Why did you do this? Free Maduro. It's like, well, maybe they would have leaked the information to him and made sure he was safe. But that didn't happen because President Trump acted decisively. You know, the president also suggested that Cuba's government may collapse now that it can no longer rely on Venezuelan for oil and support, calling it ready to fall. Watch. And what could come next there? Are you considering U.S. action in Cuba? We're not. I think it's just going to fall. I don't think we need any action. It looks like it's going down. It's going down for the count. And by the way, you have to do something with Mexico. Mexico has to get their act together because they're pouring through Mexico. So from a legal and a strategic standpoint, how should we interpret that statement? Got about 45 seconds for you to give us your thoughts. Well, I think that there's going to be a domino effect here. I think the fact that Venezuelan oil has now been taken out of the communist orbit, it's going to cause Cuba probably to fall, maybe even without military action. It reminds me of the Soviet Union back in the late 80s and early 90s when it fell on its face because of economic pressure. And I think the president's actions in Venezuela will send shockwaves and probably lead to the collapse of the Cuban regime without even having to take military action. Well, that would be another beautiful domino effect of his 40 chess playing moves. Don Brown, God bless you, brother. Happy New Year. And thanks for joining The Pulse tonight. You too, David. Thank you so much. We'll see you soon.

President Trump weighed in on the deadly shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday. CBS News' Willie James Inman reports.

Minneapolis

Trump claims woman shot by ICE in Minneapolis was “very disorderly”

President Trump plans to meet with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Mr. Trump issued threats following the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports from Bogotá.

Washington

Trump to meet Colombia’s Petro after tensions over Venezuela operation

The United Kingdom aided the U.S. in an operation to seize a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

UK helped the U.S. seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela

U.S. forces on Wednesday seized two oil tankers, one in the North Atlantic and the other in the Caribbean, as part of the Trump administration's blockade of Venezuela's oil exports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will take between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil and sell it in the marketplace.

U.S. to control money from Venezuela oil sales after tanker seizures

Nick Reiner was set to be arraigned on murder charges on Wednesday in the killing of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. But his defense attorney, Alan Jackson, told the judge he could no longer represent the 32-year-old. After the hearing, Jackson said he couldn't say why he withdrew for legal reasons, but added, "Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."

Los Angeles

Nick Reiner's lawyer withdraws from case, says Reiner 'is not guilty'

NASA is considering a rare early return of its crew from the International Space Station over an unspecified medical issue involving one of the astronauts, after canceling a planned spacewalk that had been scheduled for Thursday (January 8), the agency said.

NASA mulls early ISS crew return due to astronaut medical issue

Washington says it has intercepted two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic as part of President Trump’s hardline effort to control oil movements across the Americas, claiming the vessels were part of a so-called shadow fleet used to ship sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran.

UK helped U.S. military to seize sentenced oil tanker on way to Russia

Minneapolis erupts in protests after a woman is shot by a federal agent – Video of the incident sparks outrage nationwide.

ICE shoots woman: Incident sparks protests across the U.S.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged security forces to show restraint, distinguishing peaceful protesters from armed rioters. However, rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 27 protesters have been killed, while Iranian media report 15 deaths, including members of the security forces.

Tehran

Iran police officer killed as cost-of-living protests enter 12th day

The decision comes as Trump approaches the first anniversary of his second term. Since returning to office, he has already moved to exit the World Health Organization, the Paris climate agreement, and UNESCO, while cutting funding to several UN bodies.

Trump orders U.S. withdrawal from 66 international organisations

Iran's army chief threatened pre-emptive military action on Wednesday over the "rhetoric" targeting the country, thought to be in reference to threats made by US President Donald Trump last week, warning that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," Washington would "come to their rescue."

Iran army chief threatens pre-emptive attack after Trump threats

U.S. forces have boarded a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks. The U.S. military also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces on Wednesday.

Venezuela Strikes

U.S. seizes two more sanctioned oil tankers with links to Venezuela

A woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security says. CBS News' Nicole Sganga reports from the scene.

Protesters gather after ICE shoots and kills woman in Minneapolis

The U.S. seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday (Jan. 7), after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic as part of a U.S. "blockade" of Venezuelan oil exports.

U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

Nick Reiner, the son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is set to be arraigned in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. It comes as details emerge about his time in custody and how his mental health history could play a role in his case.

Nick Reiner due in court on murder charges

Flights across France and Belgium and Eurostar train services have been severely disrupted by the winter weather.

Paris

Eurostar trains and hundreds of flights cancelled amid heavy snowfall

President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday urged security forces to distinguish between what he called rioters and protesters, urging them not to target peaceful demonstrators.

Iran's President urges security forces not to target protesters

In Iran, protests that broke out on December 28th over the soaring cost of living look set to continue. Security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on January 6: without giving numbers, Iran's IRNA news agency said 'some' people were arrested.

Death toll rises as Iran's security forces clash with protesters

Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are reacting to the Trump administration's comments on a potential Greenland takeover from Denmark.

Nuuk

European leaders blast Trump over Greenland takeover discussions

Donald Trump says Venezuela will hand over as much as 50 million barrels of oil and he will control the profits.

Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil

Britain and France have said they could send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. The pledge came at a Paris meeting of 30 nations, including the US, on security guarantees demanded by Kyiv before any peace deal.

London

Ukraine Invasion

UK, France ready to deploy troops in Ukraine after ceasefire

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would “take up arms” in the face of threats issued by US President Donald Trump.

Bogotá

Colombia vows to defend its sovereignty amid Trump’s military threats

Israeli forces storm Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank soon after students begin a sit-in in solidarity with jailed Palestinians.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli school assault wounds dozens of Palestinians in West Bank raid

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump and his team are considering a range of options in efforts to acquire Greenland as the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro continues to reverberate in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump sees acquiring Greenland as a national security priority

The United States for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraine's allies in vowing to provide security guarantees that leaders said would include binding commitments to support the country if it is attacked by Russia again.

U.S. backs security guarantees for Ukraine at summit of Kyiv's allies

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Soweto

Ramaphosa urges UN action after U.S. capture of Maduro

At least 25 people have been killed in Iran during the first nine days of protests that started in the bazaar of Tehran over the plunging value of the currency and soaring inflation, according to rights groups. This video contains graphic images.

Rights groups say at least 25 dead in Iran protests

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Trump administration sets meetings with oil firms on Venezuela: source

Uncertainty in Venezuela has crossed into neighboring Colombia, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Colombian President Gustavo Petro could face U.S. action following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Tension rises in Colombia after Maduro’s capture

Nicolas Maduro appeared in a US courtroom on January 5, 2026. He pleaded "Not Guilty" to drug trafficking and other charges, insisting he is still Venezuela's president. Maduro's kidnapping is being justified by the Trump administration as a "surgical law enforcement operation", but what proof is the case resting on?

Breakdown