U.S. Intelligence Memo Rejects Trump's Claims on Venezuelan Gang

A newly declassified U.S. intelligence memo reveals that American spy agencies do not believe Venezuela's government controls or directs the activities of the Tren de Aragua gang, contradicting President Donald Trump's rationale for invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants. The memo, reflecting the consensus of all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, states that while the Maduro regime's permissive environment allows the gang to operate, there is no evidence of direct cooperation or control. Intelligence officials further challenged claims that Tren de Aragua poses a preeminent national security threat or is orchestrating large-scale criminal operations in the U.S. These findings undermine the Trump administration's justification for rapidly deporting suspected gang members without judicial review and cast doubt on the claim that the gang is acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government. The declassified assessment was obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests and aligns with prior reporting by major news outlets. This development highlights a significant disconnect between the Trump administration's public assertions and the intelligence community's analysis.