Trump’s Gang Claims Debunked: Intel Memo Says No Venezuelan Government Link
Trump’s Gang Claims Debunked: Intel Memo Says No Venezuelan Government Link
A newly released U.S. intelligence report directly contradicts President Trump’s statements about the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. The declassified memo, from the National Intelligence Council, concludes that there’s no evidence of coordination between the gang and the Venezuelan government, despite the Trump administration’s claims.
The memo states that while some low- to mid-level Venezuelan officials might have ties to the gang for financial gain, there’s no indication that President Nicolas Maduro or other high-ranking officials are directing their activities. The intelligence community also deems most evidence suggesting regime involvement in the gang’s operations in the United States to be unreliable.
A Controversial Use of a Wartime Law
The Trump administration has used the Alien Enemies Act, a 18th-century law typically reserved for wartime, to expedite the deportations of people labeled as members of Tren de Aragua. This law, which empowers the president to imprison or deport non-citizens during times of war, has only been invoked three times in history, including during World War II when Japanese Americans were detained.
Tren de Aragua has been linked to various crimes, including kidnappings, extortion, and drug trafficking, across the Western Hemisphere. This is partly attributed to the mass exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their country’s economic collapse in recent years.
Government Transparency and Congressional Scrutiny
The memo’s release came after the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a Freedom of Information Act request. The foundation emphasizes the importance of government transparency, especially considering the Trump administration’s threats to subpoena reporters investigating government leaks.
Two federal judges have recently ruled that the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua is improper and has blocked deportations under this law. Some members of Congress, particularly Democrats, have criticized Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for publicly supporting Trump’s justification for deportations despite being aware of the intelligence assessment.
