A recently declassified U.S. intelligence assessment has confirmed that analysts from American spy agencies found no evidence of coordination between the criminal gang Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government. This finding directly contradicts claims made by the Trump administration when invoking the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants. The insights provided in a redacted memo from the National Intelligence Council indicate that there are no indications that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro or senior government officials are directing the actions of Tren de Aragua, a gang that has its origins in a Venezuelan prison.
The memo notes that while some mid- to low-level Venezuelan officials may have financial ties to the gang, the Maduro regime does not appear to be cooperating with Tren de Aragua. The document states, “While Venezuela’s permissive environment enables TDA to operate, the Maduro regime probably does not have a policy of cooperating with TDA and is not directing TDA movement to and operations in the United States.” Furthermore, the assessment emphasizes that most intelligence community analysts consider claims that regime leaders are directing or enabling Tren de Aragua's migration to the U.S. as not credible.
The Alien Enemies Act is an 18th-century wartime law that grants the president the authority to imprison or deport noncitizens during times of war. It has been invoked only three times in history, with the most notable instance occurring during World War II when Japanese Americans were detained. The Trump administration's use of this law to expedite deportations of individuals labeled as gang members has now come under scrutiny.
Tren de Aragua has been linked to a series of heinous crimes, including kidnappings and extortion, throughout the Western Hemisphere. These criminal activities coincide with the mass exodus of millions of Venezuelans, driven by the severe economic collapse of their country over the past decade. The National Intelligence Council plays a crucial role in coordinating the efforts of the nation’s intelligence services, and its findings reflect the insights of various agencies.
While the assessment found no substantial coordination between Maduro and Tren de Aragua, it did reveal that FBI analysts have credible reasons to believe that some Venezuelan officials may have assisted gang members in relocating to the U.S. and other countries. This maneuvering appears to align with what they perceive as the Maduro regime’s broader goal of destabilizing governments and undermining public safety. A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard dismissed claims suggesting that the assessment contradicts White House statements. The spokesperson asserted that the assessment acknowledges some connections between lower-level officials in Maduro’s government and the gang.
The release of the assessment, which includes significant redactions, followed an open records request by the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Lauren Harper, who holds the Daniel Ellsberg Chair on Government Secrecy at the foundation, emphasized the importance of government transparency, particularly as the Trump administration considers subpoenaing reporters to investigate government leaks. “The public deserves to read this document,” Harper stated.
Two federal judges have ruled that Trump is misusing the Alien Enemies Act, prohibiting the administration from deporting immigrants under this law. District Court Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of New York declared that the 1798 law cannot be applied to Tren de Aragua, as the gang is not actively attacking the United States. “TdA may well be engaged in narcotics trafficking, but that is a criminal matter, not an invasion or predatory incursion,” Hellerstein explained.
Democrats in Congress have welcomed the release of the assessment and raised questions regarding Gabbard's support for Trump’s justification for deportations. In a joint statement, Representatives Jim Himes of Connecticut and Joaquin Castro of Texas urged Gabbard to clarify why her public statements do not align with the findings of her own agencies. “The most basic responsibility of the director of national intelligence is to speak truth to power and, where possible, the American people,” the lawmakers stated, highlighting the potential damage caused by misrepresenting intelligence.
