Lindsey Graham Angry at Pope for Criticizing Trump

Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly clashed with Pope Leo XIV following the pontiffs recent comments about U.S. actions toward Venezuela. On Tuesday, the Pope criticized former President Donald Trumps forceful efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro from power.

Graham responded sharply, urging the Pope to align with what he called the right side of history. In a detailed social media statement, the South Carolina senator insisted that only a credible threat of military action could bring meaningful change to Venezuela.

Without the possibility of military force, nothing will shift in Venezuela. Dialogue has run its course. The moment for decisive action to end Maduros oppressive rule is now, Graham stated. He encouraged the Pope to support measures aimed at removing Maduro, describing the Venezuelan leader as the head of a narcoterrorist state involved with terrorist groups and illicit drug operations.

The senator emphasized that military intervention should only occur if Maduro refuses to step down voluntarily, noting that Trump has framed the situation as offering Maduro an easy way or a hard way out of power. Graham suggested the Pope could help by encouraging Maduro to take the less violent option.

Since early September, U.S. forces have targeted small vessels in the Caribbean Sea suspected of drug smuggling, resulting in at least 83 deaths. These strikes, conducted without formal investigations, have drawn criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum as well as from international human rights advocates, including the U.N. human rights chief, who declared that the attacks violate international human rights law.

Pope Leo XIV urged the U.S. to consider nonviolent alternatives. He recommended dialogue with Maduro or the use of economic sanctions as potential strategies for influencing Venezuela without resorting to military action.

Author: Natalie Monroe