Kaine Gets Called Out — Live on Fox
Senator Tim Kaine was on Fox News and didn’t have a smooth night. Host Jaqui Heinrich pushed him hard about why Democrats didn’t bring Maduro to justice while they controlled the White House and Congress. Kaine tried to deflect. Heinrich would not let him off the hook.
The Biden administration, the piece argued on air, offered a $25 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest but “did nothing during its four years in office.” The segment notes that President Trump ordered a military operation into Venezuela. The outlet reported Maduro is now in a New York prison after a roughly two-hour operation to capture him, and that no American troops were killed.
On the show, Kaine attempted to blame Trump for pushing allies away. He said sanctions were harder because of Trump, and that allies pulled back. Here are Kaine’s exact words from the clip:
“There have been sanctions placed against Venezuela, and I’ll admit, the sanctions have not been as effective as they might have been. And you know why, Jaqui? Because many other nations wouldn’t join us in the sanctions, even though they’ve joined us in sanctions against other nations. And why wouldn’t they? They didn’t like the president, President Trump, in his first term, threatening military action against Venezuela, and that caused them to back off support for sanctions.
So, sanctions and going into international forums, and trade restrictions, and embargoes, and seizing vessels that are pursuant to sanction with a court order, these are things that can work. It’s a lot better if you have your allies with us. What we’ve done now is push our allies away, and we’ve opened up—”
Heinrich shot back right away and did not accept Kaine’s deflection. Her exact rebuke was also on the record:
“So, it’s the allies’ fault that this didn’t work? I mean, I think, the point I’m getting to is, don’t you think that America’s adversaries take note when all Democrats can muster is a joint statement or a press conference or some sanctions that are, you know, loose, and take advantage of that, and that’s why the administration is in a position to do this now?”
Kaine then went defensive and tried to turn the argument toward congressional process. He asked why Republicans hadn’t pushed a military authorization and accused them of ducking votes. His words, verbatim:
“If you think it’s right for a president, just on his own say so, willy nilly, to wage war against anybody, I guess that’s an opinion. But why haven’t Republicans brought forth a military authorization? Why are they ducking votes on whether this is a wise strategy?”
When Heinrich asked if he’d vote for such authorization, Kaine replied bluntly: “I’d vote against it. I think another war that Virginia, which is a very pro-military state, and I’m the father of a Marine, Virginians are tired of endless wars, and we don’t want to engage in military action that’s unnecessary.”
On the other side of the aisle, Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued the operation didn’t require a formal declaration of war. As reported, Rubio said it was “not an invasion” and “not an extended military operation.” That line was used to justify the administration’s move as law enforcement and targeted action.
WATCH:
Look, the angle here matters. Republicans point to action. They say sanctions, statements and embargoes only work if you back them up with the will to act — and if enemies see weakness, they test you. Democrats like Kaine tried to blame allies and the prior president. Heinrich forced the question Democrats hate: what did you do when you had the chance?
The debate is raw and simple. One side wants robust pressure and results. The other side warns about process and endless wars. But when the opposition leader sits in a New York cell, voters will ask whether words and weak sanctions ever equaled results. Kaine stumbled because Heinrich kept circling back to the basic point: accountability. If you cared enough, why didn’t you act when you could?
This exchange will not calm down. It highlights two things: Republicans are hungry for decisive action, and Democrats are stuck defending four years of inaction by pointing at everything but their own record. That’s why Kaine’s answers looked like excuses on live TV.