Five Senate Republicans voted on Jan. 8 to force debate on a resolution curbing President Donald Trump’s use of force in Venezuela, marking a rare break from the president by members of the legislative branch and a sign that some Republicans know the road ahead should be precise. 

Republican voters seem to be rallying behind Trump for the time being, but they have been skeptical of U.S. foreign involvement in recent years, and a mishandling of the situation could turn the tide against U.S. involvement quickly. 

Trump, and in turn Republican leaders, need to prove to voters they can navigate the Venezuelan crisis without getting into a long-term nation-building project. Thus far, the administration’s comments have not quelled such concerns. 

Displacing Nicolás Maduro is an easy sell to Republican voters, given the upside of a potential oil influx and Republicans being more hawkish in opposition to drug smuggling. However, the level of U.S. involvement from here is a much more difficult sell. 

Trump has said that “only time will tell” how long the United States may stay involved in Venezuela, which is likely to dredge up memories of prolonged U.S. involvement in the Middle East ‒ and for........

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