One year into President Donald Trump's second term, the Democratic Party is attempting to leverage what they portray as a contradiction between his campaign promises to curtail foreign interventions and his recent foreign policy actions, particularly in Venezuela, as a key issue in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The party aims to regain control of both the House and Senate, thereby limiting the president's executive power.

The Democrats' strategy centers on highlighting the perceived hypocrisy between Trump's "America First" rhetoric and his administration's increasingly assertive foreign policy. This includes the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, an action that has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about the erosion of national sovereignty.

The situation in Venezuela has been a source of ongoing instability, with the US government maintaining that Maduro's regime is illegitimate due to alleged electoral fraud. This stance is not universally shared, with countries like Russia and China continuing to recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader. The US has imposed sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Venezuela in an effort to force a transition to a new government.

The abduction of Maduro, however, represents a significant escalation of US involvement and has been criticized by international legal scholars as a violation of international law. The move has also been interpreted by some as a demonstration of US power, potentially undermining efforts to promote multilateralism and international cooperation.

The Democrats are hoping to capitalize on public unease regarding the potential for further military entanglements and the economic costs associated with an interventionist foreign policy. They are framing the midterms as a referendum on Trump's foreign policy and arguing that a Democratic-controlled Congress would provide a necessary check on the president's actions.

The midterm elections are scheduled for November 2026. The outcome will determine the balance of power in Washington and could significantly impact the direction of US foreign policy for the remainder of Trump's second term. The Democratic Party is expected to continue to emphasize the perceived disconnect between Trump's promises and his actions, while the Republican Party is likely to defend the president's policies as necessary to protect US interests and promote stability abroad.