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Brother of man accused of spraying Ilhan Omar says suspect hated Somali community for years
The younger brother of the man accused of spraying a substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said the alleged attacker has harbored a hatred for the Somali community for years.
"I’m not surprised this happened," Anthony Kazmierczak’s estranged brother, who did not wish to be identified, told the Independent over the phone from his home in North Carolina.
"Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists," he added.
ILHAN OMAR BACKED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS AFTER MINNESOTA TOWN HALL ATTACK
The brother said he's been estranged from Kazmierczak for the past four years.
"I believe in helping people," he said. "He believes in blaming people."
Kazmierczak, 55, allegedly ran toward Omar as she was speaking Tuesday night at a town hall at Urban League Twin Cities where she criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Video of the incident shows a man spraying an unidentified substance at Omar from a syringe. He was immediately tackled by security personnel and subsequently arrested.
Omar wiped herself clean and continued her remarks.
MAN ACCUSED OF SPRAYING OMAR HAS CRIMINAL RECORD AS CONGRESSWOMAN VOWS 'A--HOLES' WON'T WIN
"We're gonna keep talking," she said. "Just give me 10 minutes. Please don't let them have the show."
The brother said Kazmierczak had mentioned Omar before and that he has a deep dislike for Somalis, which began well before Omar was elected to Congress in 2019.
"He has had a hatred of the Somali community for probably 20 years," Kazmierczak’s brother continued. "There’s a reason I don’t talk to him… He’s got a lot of anger, I have no idea where it comes from. He’s always been that way. In and out of treatment since he was a kid."
One of Kazmierczak’s neighbors told The New York Post he had hinted in a cryptic text days earlier that he might end up leaving the event in handcuffs.
"He said, 'I’m going to this Omar thing.' I’m like, Omar what? He said, ‘This town hall thing.’ And he said, ‘I might get arrested,’" Brian Kelley told The Post.
"I didn’t take him seriously. I’m surprised, but not overly surprised," the neighbor added. "I figured when he said he was going to go to the town hall, he’d stand up and say something stupid. I can’t imagine him assaulting or spraying somebody."
Texas Gov Greg Abbott calls for CAIR to be stripped of non-profit status
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called on the state's attorney general to strip the Council on American-Islamic Relations of its non-profit status on Thursday.
Abbott made the request in a letter to Attorney General Ken Paxton that was released by the governor's office. The letter also urges Paxton to prevent CAIR and its affiliates from operating in Texas.
"Under Texas law, the Texas Attorney General is the only elected official charged with regulating nonprofits that may be violating the law," Abbott wrote, calling on Paxton to take action.
Paxton's office says they are already investigating two school districts for ties to the Islamic Games of North America, a group that works regularly with CAIR.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DEMAND TREASURY PROBE CAIR OVER ALLEGED HAMAS TIES AND TERRORISM CONCERNS
"The spread of radical Islam in Texas must be stopped, and if school districts are continuing to promote or partner with organizations tied to an FTO, that ends now," said Attorney General Paxton. "I will ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are not materially supporting activities by Islamist terrorists in violation of Texas law."
Abbott has previously called on school districts to sever ties with CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood. He argues the organizations cannot legally operate on public school property, according to Click2Houston.
"Voluminous documents detail the dangers posed to Texans by the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and their affiliates," Abbott said in a statement. "Regardless of the facade CAIR attempts to portray in press releases, CAIR cannot be allowed to use its ‘nonprofit’ status as a shield for sponsoring terror, advancing radical Islamism in Texas, or fronting for the Muslim Brotherhood."
"The same goes for other entities pretending to engage in charity by day, while sponsoring terror by night," he added.
CAIR has denied accusations from Abbott's office, including that the organization is a front for Hamas. The group called Abbott "desperate" in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"Greg Abbott has spent several years trying and failing to silence Texans who dared to criticize the waste of American taxpayer dollars on the Israeli government's crimes," a CAIR spokesman said.
"While CAIR's legal team deals with Mr. Abbott's antics in a court of law, CAIR-Texas remains squarely focused on protecting free speech, religious freedom, and civil rights for all Texans," he continued.
CAIR says it has sued Abbott "to block his unconstitutional proclamation targeting our Texas chapter."
Abbott's call comes weeks after the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith referred CAIR's California chapter to the IRS for investigation. His referral cited alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, potential violations of federal law and support for unlawful activity.
"Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right," Smith, a Republican from Missouri, told Fox News Digital earlier this month. "Organizations that receive special treatment under the tax code must follow the law and operate in the public interest, not bankroll illegal activity, mislead federal agencies, or misuse hard-earned taxpayer dollars."
Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Dem governor ducks question on 'monster' illegal alien who fractured 8-year-old’s skull with rock attack
Newly minted New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill ducked a question from Fox News Digital over an illegal alien in her state who allegedly fractured an eight-year-old girl’s skull by throwing a rock at a school bus.
Sherrill, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20 and expressed support for sanctuary-type policies during her campaign, declined to comment on the attack or the girl’s injuries. Instead, a spokesperson for Sherrill’s office referred Fox News Digital to the office of Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
In turn, a spokesperson for Davenport’s office told Fox News Digital that "nothing in New Jersey’s state laws would have prevented New Jersey law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials to deport Mr. Garcia-Morales"
Though the spokesperson did not address the child’s injuries, they said "our office’s number one priority is keeping New Jerseyans safe."
COLLEGE SOCCER STAR, GIRLFRIEND DEAD AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT’S RECORD IGNITES LAWMAKER FURY STATEWIDE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against the illegal immigrant allegedly behind the attack, 40-year-old Mexican national Hernando Garcia-Morales.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a Monday statement that Garcia-Morales, whom the agency called a "monster," has an extensive criminal history. The agency said he entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location.
DHS said that Garcia-Morales threw a baseball-sized rock at a school bus traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike in Teaneck Township, breaking a window and hitting a third-grade student. The student, an eight-year-old girl, suffered a fracture on her skull and had to undergo surgery.
The agency said the bus was returning to Yeshivat Noam, a local Jewish day school, from a field trip at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. According to the Jewish Standard, the 8-year-old girl underwent surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center and is now back home in recovery.
The outlet reported that Garcia-Morales is a "serial rock-thrower," who authorities have linked to multiple similar incidents.
According to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Garcia-Morales has a long list of prior charges beginning July 13, 2025. He has several charges for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief and several other charges.
Garcia-Morales was arrested on Jan. 9 by New Jersey Turnpike State Police for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon. The Bogota Police Department also charged him with aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, criminal trespassing peering, and criminal mischief damage property. He is currently in law enforcement custody at Bergen County Jail.
According to DHS, Garcia-Morales was also arrested for burglary in 2023 and for possession of a weapon and theft in 2006.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented that "violently targeting a school bus full of children is extremely wicked and heinous."
McLaughlin knocked New Jersey’s sanctuary policies, saying, "Hernando Garcia-Morales should have never been in this country, let alone released after multiple arrests into New Jersey communities."
"ICE has lodged an arrest detainer against this monster, and we hope New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians will help us keep him off American streets for good," she said, adding, "Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens have no place in the U.S."
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office did not reply to Fox News Digital's request for comment on whether it will honor ICE’s detainer request.
TRUMP URGES DHS, ICE TO PUBLICIZE ARRESTS, SAYS CRACKDOWN IS 'SAVING MANY INNOCENT LIVES'
A spokesperson for Davenport’s office told Fox News Digital that "nothing in New Jersey’s state laws would have prevented New Jersey law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials to deport Mr. Garcia-Morales" and that "state law allows for cooperation with ICE in regard to anyone charged with a violent crime or convicted of any indictable offense."
The spokesperson said that "if ICE wishes to detain an individual, it is incumbent on ICE to notify the state correctional facility. If it does not file a detainer request with the facility, our state correctional officers cannot hold the detainee past the time they must be released on their state criminal charges."
"State law ensures that our police officers can effectively tackle violent crime, gun violence, [and] drug trafficking, while ensuring that victims and witnesses can safely come forward to report crimes regardless of their immigration status," the spokesperson went on, adding, "Our office’s number one priority is keeping New Jerseyans safe."
This comes as DHS and ICE face mounting opposition from pro-sanctuary politicians over immigration enforcement operations, especially in Minneapolis. The Justice Department announced last year it was suing four New Jersey cities, accusing local officials of obstructing federal law and undermining efforts to enforce immigration laws through their sanctuary city policies.
Trump says Putin agreed to halt Kyiv strikes for one week amid brutal cold
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to not open fire on Kyiv, Ukraine, for one week due to the freezing weather rocking the region.
"I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this," Trump said. "It's extraordinary cold, record-setting cold. Over there too, they're having the same conditions. It's a big it's a big pile of bad weather. The worst. But it was, it really they said, they've never experienced cold like that."
The president held his first Cabinet meeting of 2026 Thursday, where he welcomed special envoy Steve Witkoff to the table to provide updates on his negotiations with Russia to end the war on Ukraine.
Trump continued that he's happy he made the call to Putin despite warnings to not "waste" a call to the Russian leader.
RUSSIA, UKRAINE TO DISCUSS TERRITORY AS TRUMP SAYS BOTH SIDES 'WANT TO MAKE A DEAL'
"I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and the various towns for a week, and he agreed to do that," Trump said. "And I have to tell you, I was very nice. A lot of people said, don't waste that call. You're not going to get that. And he did it. And we're very happy that they did it."
Trump added that the agreement was a "very good thing."
Russian strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine, have hobbled the city's energy infrastructure in recent weeks, with Reuters reporting Monday that more than 1,300 apartment buildings in Ukraine's capital have been without heat in the chilling temperatures. The strikes also have left much of the population without electricity and running water.
Witkoff said Thursday during the Cabinet meeting that negotiations have moved along productively and that the people of Ukraine are "hopeful and expecting that we're going to deliver a peace deal sometime soon."
Witkoff and fellow administration envoy Jared Kushner joined trilateral peace talks earlier in January with Ukraine and Russia as the nations inch toward a hopeful peace deal.
WITKOFF AND KUSHNER SCHEDULED TO MEET PUTIN IN MOSCOW
"We had five Russian generals last Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Jared and I and Dan Driscoll. We think we made a lot of progress," Witkoff said. "The talks will continue in about a week, but lots of good things happening. … We have a security protocol agreement that's largely finished. A prosperity agreement that's largely, largely finished."
ZELENSKYY HOLDING UP RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE PROCESS, TRUMP SAYS
A monthly chart of the weather in Kyiv, Ukraine, shows it has been brutally cold similar to temperatures rocking many parts of the U.S., as winter storm Fern careened across much of the United States Saturday and Sunday. The month of January in Kyiv, Ukraine, shows the highest temperature reaching 34° Fahrenheit and the lowest hitting -5° Fahrenheit, according to weather data.
The war in Ukraine has raged since the Biden administration as Russia looks to take hold of the nation and expand its footprint in Europe. The war will notch its four-year anniversary Feb. 24.
Trump campaigned in part on ending the war in Ukraine, arguing it never would have unfolded if he had been re-elected during the 2020 campaign cycle.
The president has noted that the war in Ukraine has been more difficult to solve than he anticipated, while touting he has ended eight other wars since he was sworn back into the Oval Office just more than one year ago.
LA protesters swarm restaurant after TSA officers reportedly misidentified as ICE agents
A group of protesters gathered outside a restaurant in Lynwood, California, Wednesday evening after reportedly mistaking Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Fox 11 Los Angeles reported that two TSA officers were eating dinner at a restaurant when someone mistook them for ICE agents.
A crowd later gathered outside, blowing whistles and horns.
The outlet reported that deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were then called in to help with crowd control.
"I think there’s a place and time for everything," said Osbaldo Bretado, a restaurant customer. "You would understand people get really emotional so they usually make mistakes."
"It happens when you take it out on the wrong people," he added. "Same thing as ICE – they say they’re after criminals but they’re taking it out on everybody."
Fox 11 reported that the TSA officers were eventually escorted out safely, and no arrests or injuries were reported.
LA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PLAN TO ADD UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM TO POLICE FOR NONVIOLENT 911 CALLS
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital it did not have any additional information to provide about the incident.
TSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
State Department demands Iran halt execution of 19-year-old wrestling star as IOC remains silent
Iran is seeking to execute a decorated Iranian wrestler for merely peacefully protesting against the regime in early January, prompting the U.S. State Department on Wednesday to demand that Tehran overturn the death penalty for 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi.
Wrestling is a national pastime in Iran and a sport liked by President Donald Trump, who sought to save the life of champion Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020. The clerical regime in Iran executed Afkari for his 2018 role in a demonstration against the economic and political corruption of the theocratic state.
According to the official X account for the State Department in Farsi, a post on Wednesday read: "The United States is deeply concerned by reports that 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi is facing imminent execution. The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future. We call on the Iranian regime to halt the execution of Saleh Mohammadi and all those sentenced to death for exercising their fundamental rights. #SalehMohammadi #StopExecutionsInIran #HumanRights #IranProtest."
The State Department action comes as activists are calling on the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling to intervene with regime authorities on his behalf, as well as other persecuted wrestlers in the country.
The Iranian American, Sardar Pashaei, who won a Greco-Roman wrestling world championship title for Iran and coached the country’s elite Greco-Roman team, told Fox News Digital, "In less than 10 days, the Iranian regime shot dead more than 30 athletes across the country. The youngest was just 15 years old. The victims included youth athletes, national champions, coaches and international referees. Every one of them was killed by gunfire."
He added that his organization, Hiwa, "has documented only confirmed cases. Many more athletes remain missing, imprisoned, or at risk of torture and execution, while families across Iran continue searching for loved ones with no answers or justice." He praised the State Department's actions in publicly calling for Saleh Mohammadi's release.
FORMER IRANIAN PRISONERS REVEAL TORTURE HORRORS AS REGIME KILLS PROTESTERS ON SIGHT DURING CRACKDOWN
Pashaei continued, "A regime that jails, tortures and murders its own athletes has no place in the international sporting community. Sport must never be used to whitewash blood. Hiwa is preparing an official letter demanding that the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling suspend and ban Iran from all international competitions."
Security forces for the Islamic Republic seized Olympic wrestler Alireza Nejati, who has won medals in world championships, after he posted a social media message to his more than 78,000 Instagram followers. The regime imprisoned Nejati and reportedly tortured him.
"I wish everyone a beautiful weekend full of success and good vibes," the 27-year-old Greco-Roman wrestling champion wrote on Jan. 7. He concluded his message with, "This is the end."
Fox News Digital sent email press queries and conducted telephone calls to the UWW and IOC regarding statements.
IRAN TO EXECUTE 2ND WRESTLER, SPARKING OUTRAGE FROM US STATE DEPARTMENT
Foreign Desk editor-in-chief, Lisa Daftari, who is a leading expert on Iran, told Fox News Digital, "Saleh Mohammadi is a 19‑year‑old athlete whose only ‘crime’ was to stand with his people, yet he now faces an imminent death sentence designed to make an example out of him and terrify an entire nation. His imminent execution would not be justice, it would be a warning shot at every young Iranian who dares dream of freedom — and the world’s response will show protesters whether they are truly alone or not."
She added, "By threatening to kill its youth — its athletes, artists, musicians and brightest minds — the regime is making clear that it does not see the Iranian people as its future, but as a threat to be silenced."
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for a comment.
Travel warning escalates for tourists as US State Dept flags 'armed conflict' risks
The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Pakistan, keeping the country at a Level 3: Reconsider Travel status, but with an additional warning for tourists.
Officials added an "unrest" indicator due to possible "armed conflict" — also adding a crime risk indicator as well.
There are three areas of the country that have a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, to which a "kidnapping" advisory was added.
OFFICIALS CHANGE TRAVEL ALERT FOR SPRING BREAK HOT SPOT WHILE WARNING OF 'SEXUAL ASSAULTS'
In 2023, there were about 3.95 million inbound arrivals, according to government data.
Officials lowered the area between the Pakistan-India border from a Level 4 status to a Level 3.
Terrorism is listed in the advisory, with a warning that violent extremist groups have carried out attacks in Pakistan.
"Terrorist attacks typically happen in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former FATA, but they have also occurred in major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad," the advisory says.
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Balochistan in the southwest is Pakistan’s largest province by land area; it borders Afghanistan, Iran and the Arabian Sea. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is located in the northwest.
Karachi is in the far south of the country — while Islamabad is in the north and inland.
Officials write that terrorists target transportation hubs, hotels, malls, places of worship, tourist spots and other places.
Travelers are also advised to avoid any protests, as the demonstrations can draw scrutiny from Pakistani security forces.
"U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests. You can also face detention for posting content on social media viewed as critical of the Pakistani government, military or officials," it reads.
Pakistan’s 7th Population and Housing Census done in 2023 by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics indicated that the country's population stands at approximately 241.5 million people.
In the U.S., some 580,000 people identified as Pakistani, according to Pew’s 2021–2023 American Community Survey.
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The State Department has four travel advisory levels to help travelers assess safety risks before visiting other countries.
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The advisory levels are: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions; Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3 – Reconsider Travel; and Level 4 – Do Not Travel.
White House blasts top House Democrat as a 'buffoon' after Jeffries brands Stephen Miller a 'hateful bigot'
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., called White House deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller a "hateful bigot," but the White House fired back, labeling the lawmaker a "buffoon."
"Stephen Miller is one of the malignant architects of the violence and brutality DHS has unleashed on the American people," Jeffries asserted in a Wednesday post on X.
"He slandered hero nurse Alex Pretti as a would-be assassin. Why is this hateful bigot still Donald Trump’s chief immigration adviser?" Jeffries asked.
SENATE DEMOCRAT DEMANDS TRUMP FIRE ‘CREEP’ STEPHEN MILLER IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS DHS FUNDING VOTE
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson slammed Jeffries.
"Hakeem Jeffries is a buffoon who has repeatedly lied about and smeared federal law enforcement officers, including inciting violence against them by encouraging his supporters to ‘fight’ President Trump’s agenda ‘in the streets.’ No one should take anything he says seriously," Jackson said in the statement.
A senior DHS official told Fox News Digital that Miller "has been instrumental in delivering on the President’s agenda."
"At neck-breaking speed, President Trump has achieved the most secure border in American history — Stephen has been a lynchpin in those efforts," the official added.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES SAYS DEMS WILL NOT BACK FUNDING BILL FOR ‘KILLING MACHINE’ DHS EVEN IF NOEM IS FIRED
The official went on to say that Miller's "passion, patriotism and persistence helps fuel this administration in our efforts to carry out the largest deportation of criminal illegal aliens in the history of our republic."
The Trump administration has been conducting a crackdown on illegal immigrants in the U.S.
Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot in Minneapolis on Saturday.
CBP/BORDER PATROL AGENTS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER DEADLY CONFRONTATION WITH ALEX PRETTI
"A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists," Miller asserted in a Saturday post on X.
Paris Hilton says she would run for office only if she could 'paint the White House pink'
The Pink House?
Paris Hilton said this week that the only way she would run for office is if she could "paint the White House pink."
The 44-year-old hotel heiress gave the "Legally Blonde"-esque answer at the end of an interview on "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle" after discussing her political advocacy over the last few years.
"Every time I go out there, they all say that to me," Hilton admitted to the co-hosts after Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, asked her if she’d consider a run for public office. "They say, ‘You get more done than our government.’"
PARIS HILTON'S WILD PAST TAUGHT HER HOW TO STOP HER KIDS FROM REBELLING
Hager responded, "Wait, that’s not a ‘no,’" to which Hilton cheekily answered, reverting to the nasal voice of the ditzy persona she's said she created and portrayed for so many years: "Only if I can paint the White House pink."
Earlier in the interview, Hilton discussed advocating for the Defiance Act, which led her to Capitol Hill last week.
"It’s so scary with the world of AI because the laws have not caught up with it, and there’s no regulations and people are allowed to make deepfake AI explicit photos and videos of children, women, people all around the world," Hilton explained to the co-hosts.
PARIS HILTON SAYS SEX TAPE SCANDAL ‘WILL HAUNT' HER FOR LIFE
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She continued, "And this Defiance Act would make it so that victims can go into court and sue because there’s no law to regulate it now."
As a mother of two, Hilton said she feels "more protective than ever."
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"I want my children to be in a world that is safe, so I’m going to do everything in my power to help make that happen," she said.
Hager replied, laughing, "Well, you could build a ballroom!", referencing President Donald Trump’s controversial new White House ballroom.
Hilton began advocating for children’s rights several years ago after revealing her parents unknowingly put her in an "abusive" boarding school as a child, which she testified about in front of Congress in 2024.
"I’ve now passed two federal bills and almost 20 state laws to protect children," Hilton told the co-hosts.
Trump moves to reopen Venezuelan airspace as US seeks reset with acting government
President Donald Trump announced that the commercial airspace over Venezuela would reopen after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released an emergency notice earlier in January to block civil flight operations of U.S. aircraft in Venezuela airspace.
The notice came as the U.S. conducted strikes in Venezuela and captured dictator Nicolás Maduro.
The Trump administration has said that the U.S. would run Venezuela until a peaceful transition could occur and is currently working to restore diplomatic relations with Caracas, Venezuela.
"I just spoke to the president of Venezuela and informed her that we're going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela," Trump said Thursday during a Cabinet meeting. "American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they'll be safe there and be safe. It's under very strong control."
Trump said that he’s instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the U.S. military to open the airspace over Venezuela by the end of Thursday.
RUBIO SAYS US HAS NO PLAN TO USE FORCE IN VENEZUELA — BUT WARNS ‘IMMINENT THREAT’ COULD CHANGE THAT
Meanwhile, the U.S. is attempting to revitalize diplomatic relations with Venezuela following Maduro’s ouster.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Wednesday that the U.S. is planning to re-open its embassy in Venezuela.
"We have a team on the ground there assessing it, and we think very quickly we'll be able to open a U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground," Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday.
The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela, as well as flights between the U.S. and Venezuela, have been shuttered since 2019.
Following the raid to seize Maduro, hundreds of U.S. flights to the Caribbean were canceled, including flights between the U.S. and Puerto Rico and Aruba.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.