Us Intel. Agencies Contradict Trump, Say Maduro Not Working With Tren De Aragua

U.S. spy agencies are upending President Donald Trump’s rationale for utilizing an 18th-century wartime rule to quickly deport Venezuelan men to a maximum information situation successful El Salvador. A memo, released and first obtained by The New York Times, elaborate nan contradicting accusation astir nan Venezuelan pack Tren de Aragua (TDA).

The memo reveals intelligence agencies person recovered Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro does not person nonstop power complete Tren de Aragua, according to an appraisal by nan National Intelligence Council connected April 7. The council, which reports to Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, appears to refute nan Trump administration’s claims TDA is invading nan U.S. “at nan guidance of President Maduro.”

What does nan memo say?

The Washington Post and Politico study nan memo states that “The Maduro authorities astir apt does not person a argumentation cooperating pinch TDA and is not directing TDA activity to and operations successful nan United States.”

The appraisal goes connected to find that while Maduro’s management mostly sees nan beingness of gangs arsenic a nationalist information threat, yet tolerates immoderate criminal activity.

The six-page document revealed that astir analysts judge it is “not credible” that Maduro’s authorities is directing aliases helping TDA get into nan U.S. The appraisal adds, “Venezuelan intelligence, subject and constabulary services position TDA arsenic a information threat and run successful ways that make it highly improbable nan 2 sides would cooperate successful a strategical aliases accordant way.”

The FBI’s findings successful nan report, however, differ from nan wide appraisal of different agencies. The agency said it believes Maduro’s authorities does thief immoderate TDA members participate nan United States. 

How was it obtained?

The published assessment, which has immoderate redacted sections, was requested done nan Freedom of Information Act by nan Freedom of Press Foundation, which is based successful New York. The Times published nan first report connected nan declassified archive connected Monday, May 6.

The Post, however, reported successful April connected nan now-confirmed assessment. It involves each 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and is nan astir conclusive study connected immoderate imaginable relationship betwixt Maduro’s management and TDA. 

How is nan Trump management responding?

After nan April 2025 report, an charismatic pinch nan Office of nan Director of National Intelligence denied The Post’s article. The spokesperson based on nan Trump management was taking “necessary and humanities action” to protect Americans. 

As a result, Gabbard requested nan U.S. Department of Justice look into imaginable leaks wrong U.S. spy agencies among group she called “deep-state criminals.”

What is nan Alien Enemies acting being utilized for?

Trump invoked nan 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which has only been utilized 3 times successful U.S. history, each antecedently nether wars, to nonstop astir 250 migrants to a notorious situation successful El Salvador without owed process, accusing them of being pack members. However, immoderate reportedly person nary criminal history aliases relationship to gangs. Among those deported was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who lived successful Maryland, aft an admitted correction by nan Trump administration.

More setbacks for nan Trump administration

In April 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court prevented nan Trump administration from sending much group distant utilizing nan Alien Enemies Act. The tribunal antecedently ruled Venezuelans considered “alien enemies” by nan authorities must beryllium capable to legally situation their deportations, a uncovering Trump questioned.

The merchandise of nan study besides comes aft a judge recovered Trump’s usage of nan Alien Enemies Act illegal, saying it should only beryllium utilized successful a clip of conflict.