The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has been sitting idle off the coast of Morocco for three days, despite previous orders directing the group to the Caribbean. The unexpected pause has fueled speculation that President Donald Trump may be reconsidering his next steps regarding a possible military operation against Venezuela.
According to open-source maritime tracking data, the Ford Strike Group—consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, two Arleigh Burke–class destroyers, and a combat support ship—halted near Morocco on Wednesday after departing from the Mediterranean. On October 24th, President Trump had ordered the group to move toward the Caribbean to reinforce U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) assets amid a significant buildup of forces near Venezuela.
The carrier group’s sudden inactivity has drawn attention among defense analysts, who suggest the delay could be due to direct intervention from the White House. Military orders of this nature would not typically be paused without presidential authorization.
While Washington has not officially commented on the situation, several observers believe the decision to halt the deployment may be tied to recent domestic political developments. Following Republican election losses earlier in the week—seen by many as a warning sign ahead of next year’s midterms—Trump has faced growing criticism from within his base. Many supporters have accused him of contradicting his earlier campaign promises to avoid new military entanglements.
Polling data appears to reflect this sentiment: while support among Republican voters for limited military action against Venezuela stood at around 70% in September, it dropped below 60% by the end of October. Fewer than one-third now favor the idea of a ground invasion.
Despite the Ford Strike Group’s current position in the Atlantic, U.S. military forces already stationed in the Caribbean are believed to be sufficient to carry out sustained airstrikes and even a limited invasion should the Maduro government collapse. However, according to Western media reports, President Trump has yet to issue a final decision, reportedly wavering due to the shifting political realities at home.