Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room, Episode 5051 (January 7, 2026)

Title: What Comes Next For Venezuela; Remembering J6 Five Years Later
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Key Guests: Sam Faddis (former CIA), Captain Jim Fennell (retired US Navy Intelligence), Cody Weddle (Daily Telegraph), Colonel Ivan Reitling
Theme:
The episode delves into explosive developments in Venezuela—most notably, the US military’s dramatic seizure of an oil tanker linked to Venezuela and Russia—while drawing broader connections to US military policy, geopolitics, blockades versus quarantines, and implications for adversaries like China and Iran. The second half reflects on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol events, with a deep dive into the legislative and law enforcement mechanics behind the day and calls for transparency.

Episode Overview

Bannon and guests analyze the US seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker reflagged as Russian, debating the implications for international sanctions enforcement, escalation with Russia/China/Iran, and shifts in US maritime policy under President Trump. Later, they break down the evolving situation in Venezuela’s leadership, including allegations of high-level deals for regime change, and close out with an insider assessment of failures and cover-ups five years after the January 6 events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Seizure of Oil Tanker: “Dark Fleet” and International Tensions

Breaking News: Seizure of the Bella One/Marinara

• [00:00–03:57]
  • An oil tanker originally named “Bella One” was seized by US military and Coast Guard forces in the North Atlantic after evading earlier attempts near Venezuela. The ship changed its name and flag mid-journey, attempting Russian protection. Russia claims ownership, calling the act provocative.
• Guest Marine Tracking Expert:
  • Ship had been tracked across the Atlantic, changed course & flagged as Russian likely to avoid seizure, unclear if genuinely Russian. "Not enough to deter the US Coast Guard." ([01:50])
• Bannon: "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people." ([02:30])

“Dark Fleet” Explanation

• [03:57–05:24]
  • Sam Faddis:
    • Explains these are vessels used by sanctioned countries (Venezuela, Iran, Russia) to covertly move oil, evading sanctions via flag and registration changes and ship-to-ship transfers.
    • "What we're saying is, effectively, we're not going to let you play this game anymore."
    • Asserts action is a clear provocation to Russia but unlikely to spark war; expects retaliation via other channels.

Blockade or Quarantine?

• [07:06–14:52]
  • Bannon: Questions whether this marks a legal/military escalation: "Is this an act of war against the Russians, or where does that stand on the escalatory ladder?" ([04:43])
  • Captain Jim Fennell:
    • Explains technical difference—blockade is an act of war, quarantine is enforcement. Suggests the US started with a “quarantine” off Venezuela but is now moving to a “blockade,” a more aggressive policy signaled by language used by US officials.
    • "No one believes that [changing the flag to Russian]...they're not going to go to war over that. So we're going to enforce the rules."
    • Notes Chinese tankers have “stopped and turned around” in response.

Messaging and Signaling to China, Russia, Iran

• [16:34–22:53]
  • Fennell: China rejecting US notion of a Western Hemisphere sphere of influence, but the US is responding by actively excluding external power interference.
  • Bannon: Asserts Trump is deploying a historically large naval force ("an armada the size of World War II") to enforce new rules.
  • Faddis: Swiss government has frozen assets linked to Maduro regime, a rare, swift alignment with the US—"huge deal…shows tariffs are working."

Global Application of Maritime Power

• [22:17–25:52]
  • Faddis & Fennell:
    • Discuss using naval blockades elsewhere, like cutting off Iranian oil via the Arabian Sea and Strait of Hormuz to squeeze regimes without boots on the ground.
    • Fennell: Cautions that US Navy’s ability to operate in more “contested” environments, like the western Pacific in a Taiwan crisis, could be limited compared to less contested places (Caribbean).
    • "I'm concerned about what happens if the Chinese decide to take Taiwan right now. ... Are we able to operate and do the same kind of operations 9,000 miles away from CONUS? And I'm not sure that we are." ([24:24])

Tariffs and Financial Pressure as Leverage

• [27:53] Captain Fennell:
  • "This thing about Switzerland seizing the assets of Maduro and his cronies, that's phenomenal—because it shows the power of what the tariffs did a year ago…They put a new president on January 1st. The new president immediately made this move… because he understood that he needs to get across to President Trump that Switzerland is going to play ball."
  • Trump is “adjusting those knobs” (tariffs, sanctions, naval power) “in ways that I can’t even comprehend. And it seems to be working.”

2. The Situation in Venezuela: Leadership Change and Deal-Making

Inside the Maduro Ouster—A “Deal” with the US?

• [32:05–40:52]
  • Cody Weddle (Daily Telegraph):
    • Details reporting that Delsey Rodriguez, Venezuela’s current acting president, brokered a back-channel deal (possibly through Qatar and UAE) with the US, potentially trading Maduro’s removal in exchange for regime continuity.
    • "It's not clear who approached whom… but quite clear something there was worked out." ([34:31])
    • Maduro repeatedly declined offers to go into exile with immunity; Delsey Rodriguez and her brother had extensive back-channel and negotiation experience with US and intermediaries.
  • Bannon: Confirms reporting aligns with gathered intelligence; describes Rodriguez’s family as a “mafia mob family.”
  • Weddle: Delsey Rodriguez now uses “defiant” rhetoric for domestic consumption but is already shifting toward working with the US—"a dramatic flip within like 24 hours." ([36:19])

What Might Happen Next in Venezuela?

• Weddle ([38:40]):
  • Watch for how Rodriguez’s rhetoric evolves; instability likely as internal rivals (e.g., Interior Minister Cabello) challenge her power.
  • “I think there's certainly a chance we see some type of coup, internal coup there. So I think those are the things we need to watch for in the next few days.”

3. Five Years After January 6: Calls for Transparency

Legal and Operational Control of January 6

• [41:00–44:01]
  • Matt Gaetz (via clip):
    • Argues ultimate jurisdiction/control over Jan 6 events and evidence lies with the US Capitol Police and the legislative branch, whose records (and decision-making) aren’t subject to FOIA or normal judicial process.
    • "They're going to hide behind that essentially praetorian guard of information to disclose it. ... Only the Speaker of the House…can compel it."
    • Gaetz advocates direct congressional action to release records; renewed investigation into the killing of Ashli Babbitt.

Roadmap for Investigation and Government Transparency

• [47:16–52:12]
  • Colonel Ivan Reitling:
    • Outlines legal structure: USCP, Capitol Police Board, sergeants at arms, and how only the Speaker (now Mike Johnson) can compel release of critical documents, especially those held by General Counsel Thomas Aquinas DeBias.
    • “That is the deep state of the deep state within the legislative branch…remains the Senior Officer Pre J6 on J6 Post J6.”
    • Argues for aggressive document seizure, coordinated review with trusted congressional and DOJ staff.
    • Warns of institutional Republican sabotage of transparency, especially from the House Administration Committee.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bannon on the seizure:
  • "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we’re going medieval on these people." ([02:30])
• Sam Faddis on Dark Fleet:
  • "What we're saying is, effectively, we're not going to let you play this game anymore. ... We’re grabbing these vessels because they’re violating sanctions." ([05:24])
• Captain Fennell on Blockade vs. Quarantine:
  • "I'm not even sure that special operations or SEAL teams are involved with this operation. ... We have legal standing both internationally and nationally to interdict this dark fleet. And we're going to do it and we're not going to play around anymore." ([09:28])
• Fennell on shifting Chinese policy:
  • "[China’s] claims about we can't have influence in our hemisphere … that's a joke. … We're standing up for small nations, whereas China says we will do whatever we want because you’re a small nation. ... They take the view of might makes right." ([18:32])
• Cody Weddle on Venezuela coup:
  • “She has to try to hold together that government coalition… she has a really difficult job. ... I think there’s certainly a chance we see some type of coup, internal coup there.” ([38:40])
• Matt Gaetz on January 6 evidence:
  • "They're going to hide behind that essentially praetorian guard of information to disclose it. ... Only the Speaker of the House…can compel that." ([41:11])
• Colonel Reitling on transparency:
  • "The way you get to the truth of January 6th … is you have to obtain all documents and communications that are in the General Counsel’s office of the US Capitol Police because that is the deep state of the deep state within the legislative branch." ([48:07])

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–03:57: Breaking news of oil tanker seizure, expert analysis
• 03:57–07:45: Sam Faddis explains "dark fleet" and escalatory risks
• 09:28–14:52: Blockade vs quarantine, naval operations, global signaling
• 17:04–22:53: China’s reaction to US moves, hemispheric defense doctrine
• 32:05–40:52: Cody Weddle on Venezuela power transition, backchannel deals
• 41:00–44:01: Matt Gaetz on Jan 6 Capitol Police control, calls for congressional action
• 47:16–52:12: Colonel Ivan Reitling lays out road map for January 6 transparency and investigation

Conclusion & Takeaways

• US has moved decisively against illicit Venezuelan oil exports, escalating to a de facto maritime blockade; Russia, China, and Iran are watching for cues and considering retaliation or policy adjustment.
• Within Venezuela, the fall of Maduro was likely orchestrated via secret deals, with Delsey Rodriguez left to navigate a precarious new regime amid internal and external pressure.
• Reflections on Jan 6 reveal frustration with lack of official investigation transparency and demands for the new House Speaker (Mike Johnson) to compel vital disclosures from the legislative branch and Capitol Police.

Where to Follow and Learn More

• Sam Faddis: AAND Magazine on Substack
• Captain Jim Fennell: Regular contributor, writings promoted on Bannon’s War Room
• Cody Weddle: @COwettl on X, reporting at the Daily Telegraph
• Colonel Ivan Reitling: On X, Getter, and Substack (details provided in episode)

This summary captures the structure, tone, and key perspectives of the episode, focusing on critical content and providing clear navigation for listeners and researchers alike.