Confusion continued Monday amid seemingly contradictory messages from President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio about how the U.S. is dealing with Venezuela.

Marco Rubio sparred with ABC's "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos over U.S. authority to run Venezuela after extracting dictator Nicolás Maduro on Saturday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials have briefed leaders in Congress on the striking military operation in Venezuela.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for “not being straight with the American people” about President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Rubio said Sunday the U.S. will judge Venezuela on three tests: cracking down on drugs, foreign influence, and oil sector reform.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is suggesting the United States won't govern Venezuela other than enforcing an existing "oil quarantine" on the country.

The secretary of state says the US will retain "multiple levers of leverage" if Venezuela's leaders don't "make the right decisions".

Plus, the economy is still the focus for many voters, and Democrats face an uphill fight in the 2026 Senate race.