Obama official slams Trump's shock invasion - Brian Tyler Cohen and Pod Save America

[TexasTowelie]

INTERVIEW: Obama official Tommy Vietor condemns Trump’s Venezuela invasion.

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Key Points Discussed:

The Operation:

- Trump allegedly deployed 15,000 US service members and Delta Force to extract Maduro and bring him to New York
- The stated justification shifted from drug trafficking (fentanyl) to reclaiming Venezuelan oil assets
- Trump announced the US would "run the country" during a transition period

Major Concerns Raised:

- Constitutional issues: No congressional authorization for military action
- Contradictory messaging: Trump campaigned on "America First" and avoiding foreign wars, yet this represents regime change
- Oil motivations: Venezuela has ~17% of world's known oil reserves; critics suggest this is about corporate profits, not American interests
- Hypocrisy: Trump pardoned Honduras's former president (convicted of drug trafficking) while claiming the Venezuela operation was about drugs

Political Implications:

- Polling showed 65% of voters opposed regime change in Venezuela
- Trump voters expected focus on domestic issues (inflation, grocery prices, healthcare)
- Instead, the administration is engaged in foreign military operations while cutting food stamps and Medicaid

Warnings:
The discussion emphasizes historical lessons from failed regime change operations (Libya) and concerns that this could expand to Cuba, Colombia, or other countries if Trump perceives the operation as successful.

[mahina]

1. I wondered what Tommy would have to say.

Thank you.