Bulwark Takes

LIVE: Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation

Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Sam (The Bulwark), with Sarah Longwell, General Mark Hertling, Ben Parker, Joe Perdicon
Guests in Trump’s Address: President Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth (Secretary of War), General Raisin Cain (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs), Senator Marco Rubio

Episode Overview

This special live episode covers the extraordinary U.S. military operation to capture and remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, followed by President Trump's national address explaining and justifying the action. The Bulwark panel offers analysis before and after the speech, focusing on the military, legal, political, and moral consequences. The discussion emphasizes the unprecedented nature of overt American regime change in Venezuela and the sweeping implications for U.S. foreign policy, domestic politics, Congressional authority, and the broader Western Hemisphere.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking the News: U.S. Removes Maduro

Overnight, U.S. special forces extracted Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas; both were to face trial in New York for narco-terrorism.
The operation involved large-scale strikes, visible U.S. air power (e.g., Chinook helicopters in Caracas), and significant infrastructural hits.
General Hertling praises operational execution, compares to past U.S. special ops, but warns the real challenge is "what happens next" in regime change scenarios.

"The military operations are usually very short and they've been good, but then it's what comes after that." — Gen. Hertling [02:12]
Pre-op political context: Chaotic Venezuela, economic collapse, massive emigration.

2. Expert Panel Raises Red Flags

Lack of Strategic Planning: Repeated concern over absence of post-invasion plans, Congressional buy-in, and coherence in foreign policy aims.

"This is where we as a nation always get in trouble when we conduct something that would be the equivalent of regime change." — Gen. Hertling [04:57]
Parallels and Differences: Compared with Panama (1989) but noted differences: Venezuela is far larger, more populous, with a real military.
Trump’s Incoherent Foreign Policy: Trump ran as an anti-interventionist, now orchestrates a neocon-style regime change without explanation.

"Not to state the obvious, but that's no way to run a country." — Sarah [06:45]
Legal and Political Vacuum: No clear U.S. objectives; legality under U.S./international law in question; American people and Congress unprepared.

"Trump has not done the work to bring Congress on board, to bring the American people on board." — Ben Parker [08:15]

3. Escalatory Rhetoric and ‘Dominance’ Frame

Trump, in Fox interview before national address, alludes to possible similar actions against Mexico/Colombia and the idea of the U.S. picking leaders in the hemisphere.
Trump's comments:

"We can't take a chance of letting someone run it and just take over where Maduro left off—that will be involved in it very much." — Quoted by Sam [05:22]
Panel's concern: Is this a one-off or an emerging regional strategy?

4. Polling and Public Sentiment

Evidence public did not favor military action in Venezuela (CBS poll: 70% oppose).
Trump's policy directly contradicts his own repeatedly stated positions and those he instilled in the GOP base.

5. 'Operation Absolute Resolve': Military Breakdown

General Raisin Cain describes an immense undercover air-ground operation:
- Over 150 U.S. aircraft involved, synchronizing air strikes and special-ops insertion.
- Targeted air-defense suppression, use of AC-130s, and tightly coordinated forces.
"This operation... was the culmination of months of planning and rehearsal. An operation that, frankly, only the United States military could undertake." — Gen. Raisin Cain [71:42]
No U.S. fatalities. Chaos in Caracas, but stated claim of minimal collateral damage.

President Trump’s National Address: Highlights & Quotes

Start: [47:49]

“Last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela…to bring outlaw Dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice...This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”
— President Trump [47:58]

Key Announcements:

Maduro charged with narco-terrorism, to be tried in the U.S.
American oil companies to "rebuild" Venezuela's oil infrastructure, with profits directed to the U.S., to Venezuela “for the people,” and for reimbursement to expropriated U.S. companies.

“We're going to have our very large United States oil companies...go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”
— Trump [48:37]

No immediate democratic process: U.S. to “run the country” until a “safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Promises to defeat gangs and drugs by “crushing the cartels” and “stopping the flow of drugs and poison to our people.”

Rhetorical Touchstones:

Compares regime change to “Midnight Hammer” (recent Iran strike), Baghdadi, Soleimani operations.
Cites the Monroe Doctrine, renaming it the “Donro Doctrine,” promising American power “will never be questioned again.”
Claims oil theft, links to Venezuela's expropriation of American assets and cartel violence.
Asserts new doctrine for the hemisphere:

“Under our new national security strategy, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.” [52:56]

Notable Memorable Moments:

“We can't take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn't have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind...We’re going to run it.” [50:00]
On oil infrastructure: “We're rebuilding...it's going to make a lot of money. We're going to give money to the people...we're going to reimburse people that were taken advantage of.”
“We're there now...we're going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place.” [50:26]
Dismisses Congressional consultation as a risk due to "leaks." [89:54]
“All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them.” [54:22]

After-Address Panel Analysis

Immediate Reactions & Concerns

Surprise at “how upfront they all were about the fact that this is in large part a war for oil.”
Stunned by the plan for indefinite U.S. administration with ambiguous local partners (“a group running it...that’s going to include Hegseth and Rubio…”).
Extensive comparison to Iraq and Afghanistan:

“It did give me...real flashbacks to 2002...We're going to be greeted as liberators...we can administer it for a period of time. All those are echoes of the arguments pre Iraq and all turned out to not be true.” — Sam [109:15]

Questions Remain

Who is actually running Venezuela now ("a group of people" + U.S. officials)?
Will there be boots on the ground? Trump: Not ruling it out; “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground. We had boots on the ground last night...” [85:48]
Funding/planning: Will Congress have to appropriate funds for oil infrastructure, admin, reimbursements? “These things have huge price tags...the unknowns here are massive.” — Joe Perdicon [116:19]

Political Fallout and Congressional Reaction

Most Florida Republicans support; some populist right (Massie, MTG) oppose.
Democrats broadly critical, especially over lack of notification/consultation.
Deep confusion about the constitutional process, legal standing, and how the U.S. justifies “running” a foreign country.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Gen. Hertling [04:57]: “This is where we as a nation always get in trouble when we conduct something that would be the equivalent of regime change.”
Sarah [06:45]: “Not to state the obvious, but that's no way to run a country.”
Ben Parker [08:15]: “Trump has not done the work to bring Congress on board, to bring the American people on board to support whatever it is is going on.”
Sarah [17:18]: “This is the thing he has taught Americans...he has taught Republicans to oppose exactly what he is doing...this is just the exact opposite of that.”
Trump [50:26]: “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Trump [54:22]: "All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will happen to them if they aren't just fair even to their people."
General Hertling [110:59]: “Even Rumsfeld didn't have this kind of arrogance and hubris. And, and he was pretty bad...The most shocking moment to me was when Hegseth turned to Rubio and Secretary Rubio said, I don't have anything to add. This is his ball game now.”
Sarah [118:16]: “This is Bushism with less of a plan...the Iraq and Afghanistan thing with less of a plan.”
Gen. Hertling [120:39]: “Yeah, yeah. No, without. Beyond a doubt. We’re at war.”

Key Segments & Timestamps

[00:59] Breaking News & Panelist Reactions (Sam, Hertling, Ben, Sarah)
[10:07] Operation Just Cause vs. Venezuela debate
[47:49] President Trump’s National Address
[69:03] Pete Hegseth, Gen. Raisin Cain, Marco Rubio statements
[85:05] Trump Q&A: “Who's running Venezuela?” Trump: “A group, people that are standing right behind me...Rubio is working on that directly.”
[107:07] Panel’s shocked reactions to Trump’s occupation/war-for-oil admissions
[110:59] Gen. Hertling on military/strategic concerns post-address
[114:32] Congressional reaction, Joe Perdicon analysis
[120:39] “Are we at war?” Yes, per Hertling

Tone and Style

The Bulwark: Analytical, urgent, incredulous, “sense-making,” often skeptical and critical with a tone of astonishment at both the audacity of the operation and the lack of apparent planning.
Trump & Admin Speakers: Hyperbolic bravado, self-congratulation, America First rhetoric, overt pride in military power, casual dismissal of legal/normative guardrails.

Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

The U.S. military has performed a bold, highly effective operation to capture Venezuela’s dictator, but what comes after is dangerously unclear—by the president’s own admission.
For the first time in decades, the U.S. is openly placing itself as the direct administrator of a foreign country, invoking Monroe Doctrine-style “hemisphere dominance”—yet with ambiguous or contradictory objectives (oil, drugs, safety, regional hegemony, or personal political vendettas).
President Trump’s rhetoric in the address and Q&A combines jingoistic pride, transactional economics (“oil will pay for everything”), and a blanket assertion of American authority—contradicting his previous anti-interventionist stance.
The panel is deeply alarmed by the rush to regime change without groundwork for political transition, Congressional involvement, legal foundation, or diplomatic strategy.
Early political response is fractured and confused; Congress, media, and even Trump’s own cabinet seem to be catching up, highlighting just how unprecedented and destabilizing this move may prove.

For Further Listening and Reflection

What does “success” look like for U.S. interests, democracy, or Venezuelan citizens under direct foreign administration?
Will other regional actors (Colombia, Cuba, Mexico) face similar intervention?
What are the risks for “forever war,” Congressional-military tension, and America’s global reputation?
Is this an inflection point for U.S. foreign policy—or another Iraq-style quagmire in the making?

End of Summary

Bulwark Takes

LIVE: Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking the News: U.S. Removes Maduro

Overnight, U.S. special forces extracted Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas; both were to face trial in New York for narco-terrorism.
The operation involved large-scale strikes, visible U.S. air power (e.g., Chinook helicopters in Caracas), and significant infrastructural hits.
General Hertling praises operational execution, compares to past U.S. special ops, but warns the real challenge is "what happens next" in regime change scenarios.

"The military operations are usually very short and they've been good, but then it's what comes after that." — Gen. Hertling [02:12]
Pre-op political context: Chaotic Venezuela, economic collapse, massive emigration.

2. Expert Panel Raises Red Flags

Lack of Strategic Planning: Repeated concern over absence of post-invasion plans, Congressional buy-in, and coherence in foreign policy aims.

"This is where we as a nation always get in trouble when we conduct something that would be the equivalent of regime change." — Gen. Hertling [04:57]
Parallels and Differences: Compared with Panama (1989) but noted differences: Venezuela is far larger, more populous, with a real military.
Trump’s Incoherent Foreign Policy: Trump ran as an anti-interventionist, now orchestrates a neocon-style regime change without explanation.

"Not to state the obvious, but that's no way to run a country." — Sarah [06:45]
Legal and Political Vacuum: No clear U.S. objectives; legality under U.S./international law in question; American people and Congress unprepared.

"Trump has not done the work to bring Congress on board, to bring the American people on board." — Ben Parker [08:15]

3. Escalatory Rhetoric and ‘Dominance’ Frame

Trump, in Fox interview before national address, alludes to possible similar actions against Mexico/Colombia and the idea of the U.S. picking leaders in the hemisphere.
Trump's comments:

"We can't take a chance of letting someone run it and just take over where Maduro left off—that will be involved in it very much." — Quoted by Sam [05:22]
Panel's concern: Is this a one-off or an emerging regional strategy?

4. Polling and Public Sentiment

Evidence public did not favor military action in Venezuela (CBS poll: 70% oppose).
Trump's policy directly contradicts his own repeatedly stated positions and those he instilled in the GOP base.

5. 'Operation Absolute Resolve': Military Breakdown

General Raisin Cain describes an immense undercover air-ground operation:
- Over 150 U.S. aircraft involved, synchronizing air strikes and special-ops insertion.
- Targeted air-defense suppression, use of AC-130s, and tightly coordinated forces.
"This operation... was the culmination of months of planning and rehearsal. An operation that, frankly, only the United States military could undertake." — Gen. Raisin Cain [71:42]
No U.S. fatalities. Chaos in Caracas, but stated claim of minimal collateral damage.

President Trump’s National Address: Highlights & Quotes

Start: [47:49]

“Last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela…to bring outlaw Dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice...This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”
— President Trump [47:58]

Key Announcements:

Maduro charged with narco-terrorism, to be tried in the U.S.
American oil companies to "rebuild" Venezuela's oil infrastructure, with profits directed to the U.S., to Venezuela “for the people,” and for reimbursement to expropriated U.S. companies.

“We're going to have our very large United States oil companies...go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”
— Trump [48:37]

No immediate democratic process: U.S. to “run the country” until a “safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Promises to defeat gangs and drugs by “crushing the cartels” and “stopping the flow of drugs and poison to our people.”

Rhetorical Touchstones:

Compares regime change to “Midnight Hammer” (recent Iran strike), Baghdadi, Soleimani operations.
Cites the Monroe Doctrine, renaming it the “Donro Doctrine,” promising American power “will never be questioned again.”
Claims oil theft, links to Venezuela's expropriation of American assets and cartel violence.
Asserts new doctrine for the hemisphere:

“Under our new national security strategy, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.” [52:56]

Notable Memorable Moments:

“We can't take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn't have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind...We’re going to run it.” [50:00]
On oil infrastructure: “We're rebuilding...it's going to make a lot of money. We're going to give money to the people...we're going to reimburse people that were taken advantage of.”
“We're there now...we're going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place.” [50:26]
Dismisses Congressional consultation as a risk due to "leaks." [89:54]
“All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them.” [54:22]

After-Address Panel Analysis

Immediate Reactions & Concerns

Surprise at “how upfront they all were about the fact that this is in large part a war for oil.”
Stunned by the plan for indefinite U.S. administration with ambiguous local partners (“a group running it...that’s going to include Hegseth and Rubio…”).
Extensive comparison to Iraq and Afghanistan:

“It did give me...real flashbacks to 2002...We're going to be greeted as liberators...we can administer it for a period of time. All those are echoes of the arguments pre Iraq and all turned out to not be true.” — Sam [109:15]

Questions Remain

Who is actually running Venezuela now ("a group of people" + U.S. officials)?
Will there be boots on the ground? Trump: Not ruling it out; “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground. We had boots on the ground last night...” [85:48]
Funding/planning: Will Congress have to appropriate funds for oil infrastructure, admin, reimbursements? “These things have huge price tags...the unknowns here are massive.” — Joe Perdicon [116:19]

Political Fallout and Congressional Reaction

Most Florida Republicans support; some populist right (Massie, MTG) oppose.
Democrats broadly critical, especially over lack of notification/consultation.
Deep confusion about the constitutional process, legal standing, and how the U.S. justifies “running” a foreign country.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Gen. Hertling [04:57]: “This is where we as a nation always get in trouble when we conduct something that would be the equivalent of regime change.”
Sarah [06:45]: “Not to state the obvious, but that's no way to run a country.”
Ben Parker [08:15]: “Trump has not done the work to bring Congress on board, to bring the American people on board to support whatever it is is going on.”
Sarah [17:18]: “This is the thing he has taught Americans...he has taught Republicans to oppose exactly what he is doing...this is just the exact opposite of that.”
Trump [50:26]: “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Trump [54:22]: "All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will happen to them if they aren't just fair even to their people."
General Hertling [110:59]: “Even Rumsfeld didn't have this kind of arrogance and hubris. And, and he was pretty bad...The most shocking moment to me was when Hegseth turned to Rubio and Secretary Rubio said, I don't have anything to add. This is his ball game now.”
Sarah [118:16]: “This is Bushism with less of a plan...the Iraq and Afghanistan thing with less of a plan.”
Gen. Hertling [120:39]: “Yeah, yeah. No, without. Beyond a doubt. We’re at war.”

Key Segments & Timestamps

[00:59] Breaking News & Panelist Reactions (Sam, Hertling, Ben, Sarah)
[10:07] Operation Just Cause vs. Venezuela debate
[47:49] President Trump’s National Address
[69:03] Pete Hegseth, Gen. Raisin Cain, Marco Rubio statements
[85:05] Trump Q&A: “Who's running Venezuela?” Trump: “A group, people that are standing right behind me...Rubio is working on that directly.”
[107:07] Panel’s shocked reactions to Trump’s occupation/war-for-oil admissions
[110:59] Gen. Hertling on military/strategic concerns post-address
[114:32] Congressional reaction, Joe Perdicon analysis
[120:39] “Are we at war?” Yes, per Hertling

Tone and Style

The Bulwark: Analytical, urgent, incredulous, “sense-making,” often skeptical and critical with a tone of astonishment at both the audacity of the operation and the lack of apparent planning.
Trump & Admin Speakers: Hyperbolic bravado, self-congratulation, America First rhetoric, overt pride in military power, casual dismissal of legal/normative guardrails.

Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

The U.S. military has performed a bold, highly effective operation to capture Venezuela’s dictator, but what comes after is dangerously unclear—by the president’s own admission.
For the first time in decades, the U.S. is openly placing itself as the direct administrator of a foreign country, invoking Monroe Doctrine-style “hemisphere dominance”—yet with ambiguous or contradictory objectives (oil, drugs, safety, regional hegemony, or personal political vendettas).
President Trump’s rhetoric in the address and Q&A combines jingoistic pride, transactional economics (“oil will pay for everything”), and a blanket assertion of American authority—contradicting his previous anti-interventionist stance.
The panel is deeply alarmed by the rush to regime change without groundwork for political transition, Congressional involvement, legal foundation, or diplomatic strategy.
Early political response is fractured and confused; Congress, media, and even Trump’s own cabinet seem to be catching up, highlighting just how unprecedented and destabilizing this move may prove.

For Further Listening and Reflection

What does “success” look like for U.S. interests, democracy, or Venezuelan citizens under direct foreign administration?
Will other regional actors (Colombia, Cuba, Mexico) face similar intervention?
What are the risks for “forever war,” Congressional-military tension, and America’s global reputation?
Is this an inflection point for U.S. foreign policy—or another Iraq-style quagmire in the making?

End of Summary

LIVE: Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation

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Summary

Bulwark Takes

LIVE: Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking the News: U.S. Removes Maduro

2. Expert Panel Raises Red Flags

3. Escalatory Rhetoric and ‘Dominance’ Frame

4. Polling and Public Sentiment

5. 'Operation Absolute Resolve': Military Breakdown

President Trump’s National Address: Highlights & Quotes

Start: [47:49]

Key Announcements:

Rhetorical Touchstones:

Notable Memorable Moments:

After-Address Panel Analysis

Immediate Reactions & Concerns

Questions Remain

Political Fallout and Congressional Reaction

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Key Segments & Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

For Further Listening and Reflection

Summary

Bulwark Takes

LIVE: Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking the News: U.S. Removes Maduro

2. Expert Panel Raises Red Flags

3. Escalatory Rhetoric and ‘Dominance’ Frame

4. Polling and Public Sentiment

5. 'Operation Absolute Resolve': Military Breakdown

President Trump’s National Address: Highlights & Quotes

Start: [47:49]

Key Announcements:

Rhetorical Touchstones:

Notable Memorable Moments:

After-Address Panel Analysis

Immediate Reactions & Concerns

Questions Remain

Political Fallout and Congressional Reaction

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Key Segments & Timestamps

Tone and Style

Summary Takeaways for New Listeners

For Further Listening and Reflection