By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In a cinematic and highly emotional centerpiece of his State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, President Trump revealed the first detailed account of the “spectacular” January 3rd raid that captured former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The President used the prime-time moment to award the Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, the lead helicopter pilot who stayed at the controls despite being hit four times by heavy machine-gun fire.
The revelation provided a rare look into Operation Absolute Resolve, a mission that had been largely shrouded in military secrecy since Maduro was whisked to New York to face narco-terrorism charges.
The “Fortress” Breach: Operation Absolute Resolve
Trump described the Caracas compound where Maduro was hiding not as a palace, but as a “heavily protected military fortress” guarded by thousands of soldiers and fortified with Russian and Chinese defense technology.
- The Lead Pilot: CW5 Slover was piloting the lead MH-47 Chinook carrying a Delta Force assault team.
- The “Ambush” at Landing: Trump revealed that as the Chinooks descended under the cover of a city-wide blackout, they were met with a barrage from “machine gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes.”
- The Injury: The President detailed how Slover was struck four times in the leg and hip. Trump’s graphic description—stating the bullets “shredded his leg into numerous pieces”—brought a hush to the House chamber.
- The Valor: Despite “gushing blood” that was reportedly flowing back down the aisle of the aircraft, Slover maneuvered the helicopter to face the enemy, allowing his gunners to eliminate the threat and ensuring the assault team could land safely.
“The Hero of Caracas”: CW5 Eric Slover
Slover appeared in the House gallery alongside his wife, Amy, using a walker to stand as he received a thunderous standing ovation and chants of “USA! USA!”
| Detail | Fact |
| Mission Name | Operation Absolute Resolve |
| Injuries | 4 machine-gun shots to the leg and hip; still in recovery. |
| Result | Successfully landed the aircraft; Maduro and wife Cilia Flores captured. |
| Historical Note | First time a Medal of Honor has been presented during a SOTU address. |
New Disclosures: Secret Weapons and Stealth
Beyond the heroism of the pilots, the President used the speech to “flex” the technological superiority of the U.S. military, confirming several rumors about the January raid:
- “The Discombobulator”: Trump referred to a secret electronic warfare weapon (humorously dubbed a “discombobulator”) that rendered Venezuelan defense systems useless. “They pressed buttons and nothing worked,” Trump quipped.
- Sonic Weaponry: White House officials confirmed reports that Venezuelan personnel suffered “sonic-related” injuries during the initial strike.
- Replica Training: The President confirmed that U.S. forces spent months training on a full-scale replica of Maduro’s compound, down to the thickness of the steel safe-room walls.
The “Unfazed” Commander
Critics had previously accused the administration of downplaying casualties, as initial reports in January claimed there were “no U.S. losses.” While it remains true that no Americans died, Trump’s speech confirmed that seven service members were wounded in the raid.
“The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain. He refused to pass out until the boots were on the ground.” — President Donald Trump, Feb 24, 2026