US EditionThe Trump Administration Offers an Unusual Thank You to the Media
The Trump administration praised media for withholding details of a Venezuela raid to protect operational security and prevent leaks, with some outlets delaying reports despite internal tensions.
- On January 3, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited news organisations for withholding reports on last Saturday's strike that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- Because officials feared leaks, operational security became the stated priority, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the administration withheld information from Congress because it "will leak," while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's mistrust of journalists underpins Pentagon press rules.
- Semafor reported that The New York Times and The Washington Post had advance knowledge but delayed reporting to protect US personnel, while AP journalists noted explosions two hours before Trump's announcement and Jeffrey Goldberg postponed coverage until safety was confirmed.
- Most mainstream news organisations have withdrawn Pentagon correspondents rather than comply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's rules, and The New York Times has filed a lawsuit while both outlets declined comment to The Associated Press on Monday.
- Observers warned reporters will persist, with Dana Priest emphasizing that withholding decisions rest with news organisations and citing the Bay of Pigs as a historical precedent.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Will Venezuela Define the Second Trump Administration?
Foreign Affairs Will Venezuela Define the Second Trump Administration? There’s little clarity and much risk in the near future in Venezuela. Presidents are drawn to foreign policy in part because courts and Congress won’t constrain them as they do on domestic policy. Presidential historians love ambitious foreign policies, and rank war presidents higher than peace presidents. So it’s understandable that presidents often look to make their legac…
Martel on Venezuela Raid: The White House Doesn't Care About France, Germany, EU, White Liberals
On Tuesday’s “Alex Marlow Show,” Breitbart’s International News Editor Frances Martel talked about Venezuela. Martel said, “I feel unprecedented in the way that an American president would act, the way the priorities are skewed, and the complete lack of caring The post Martel on Venezuela Raid: The White House Doesn’t Care About France, Germany, EU, White Liberals appeared first on Breitbart.
Following last weekend’s US military action in Venezuela, the media received something they had rarely heard from the Trump administration: a “thank you.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the news organizations that learned beforehand about the Saturday attack that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for not endangering the mission by publicly reporting on it before it happened.
Usually reluctant to compliment the press, the Trump administration greeted the American media this Sunday. Invited in the program "This Week" on ABC, Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked the press bodies who had known in advance of last Saturday's American intervention and which led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, for not having compromised the mission by making it public before it took place."Many media had obtained in…
The head of diplomacy, Marco Rubio, stressed that some journalists knew the plans to capture Nicolás Maduro but did not publish it before it happened.His statements contrast with the hostile stance of the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, towards the press.
LancasterOnline
Independent EspañolIn the wake of the US military action in Venezuela over the weekend, the press received something it has rarely heard from President Donald Trump's administration: "thank you."
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
