Hillsdale Dialogues: Venezuela and the Constitution

Podcast: Hillsdale Dialogues
Hosts: Hugh Hewitt, Dr. Larry P. Arnn (President, Hillsdale College)
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode shifts from the usual discussion of Great Books and Churchill to analyze recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, focusing on the constitutional powers of the president regarding military intervention. Dr. Larry Arnn offers historical context, touches on U.S. foreign policy doctrines (notably the Monroe Doctrine), and discusses broader themes—including generational conflicts, the role of education, contemporary socialism, and what motivates the left in its response to Donald Trump’s presidency.

Key Discussion Points

The U.S. Operation in Venezuela

• Initial Reaction:
  Dr. Arnn expresses surprise and acknowledges the risk and audacity of the Trump administration’s direct action in Venezuela to remove Maduro.
  • Quote: “Amazement, shock and awe. ...To go down there and get him and bring him here. That's kind of cool.” (05:23–05:36, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• International Context:
  • The involvement of Russia and China in Venezuela is discussed, with Arnn emphasizing the strategic stakes for America and the relevance of the Monroe Doctrine.
  • Connections are drawn to China’s ambitions to break Pacific isolation via relationships in Cuba, Panama, and Venezuela.
    • Quote: “Maduro is a despot... And it matters strategically to the United States because... China is blocked in its open access to the Pacific Ocean by a bunch of islands... They're interested in getting out.” (06:35–07:32, Dr. Larry Arnn)

The Constitution and Presidential War Powers

• Historical Practice:
  • Arnn references constitutional scholar John Yoo, noting the U.S. has used military force 125 times, with formal declarations of war only 5–11 times.
    • Quote: “We've attacked militarily other nations 125 times... and we have declared war five times, actually 11 times if you count as discrete the several countries that we declared war against in World War I and World War II.” (09:30–09:56, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• Structural Checks and Balances:
  • Arnn explains the President’s ability to initiate force is balanced by Congressional power—especially control over funding—and that executive action is purposefully flexible to let the government respond with prudence to emergencies.
    • Quote: “The president has a very wide power to launch an attack on somebody who's a danger to us or to respond to an attack, but the Congress has 100 ways of going about causing him trouble about that.” (15:24–15:41, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• Historical Examples:
  • The Barbary Pirates/Thomas Jefferson, Operation Eagle Claw, Grenada invasion, Panama, Bin Laden raid, Soleimani strike, and others are cited as precedents for presidential military action without Congressional approval.
    • Quote: “Jefferson sent the Navy and some soldiers to route the Barbary Pirates and he told the Congress that it was a defensive measure alone. But his direct orders…were go get them, take the offensive.” (18:19–18:33, Dr. Larry Arnn)

The Legacy of Jefferson and Extraconstitutional Actions

• Louisiana Purchase:
  • The story of Jefferson acquiring Louisiana is used to illustrate pragmatic “prudential” executive overreach—actions beyond clear constitutional bounds, generally justified by necessity.
    • Quote: “He did it prudentially. That is to say, yeah, I don't think I have the power to do that. Let's buy that thing.” (22:45–22:54, Dr. Larry Arnn)

Trump, the Left, and the Deepening Divide

• The Trump Effect:
  • Discussion pivots to explain Trump’s outsized effect on the left and why he provokes such visceral opposition.
    • Quote: “Donald Trump is a fighter big time…he's got those personal characteristics that offend the heck out of people. …He wants to drain the swamp. And so it's the swamp that complains the most.” (23:19–24:06, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• The Nature of Government Power:
  • Arnn identifies a fundamental quarrel over the “ultimate purposes and manner of governance,” contrasting constitutional limited government with concentrated federal power.

Education, Collectivism, and the Young Left

• Rise of Socialism Among the Young:
  • Arnn laments poor civic education, COVID’s impact on youth, and the allure of collectivism.
    • Quote: “There's a tendency one sees, for young women to turn to Karl Marx and young men to turn to Friedrich Nietzsche. And those are two different kinds of poison that are closely related.” (27:35–27:53, Dr. Larry Arnn)
  • He critiques New York politician Mamdani’s embrace of socialism, arguing the historical record is clear on its failures.
    • Quote: “The idea of collectivizing housing or that there ought not to be private property ownership and that the buses ought to be free. That's nuts.” (29:10–29:21, Hugh Hewitt)
• Human Nature and Merit:
  • Arnn warns against utopian promises of “sustained abundance,” referencing Elon Musk and C.S. Lewis.
    • Quote: “If it was easy, everybody would be wise and everybody wants to be wise, but you got to work for it. And then you deserve it if you do.” (31:54–32:07, Dr. Larry Arnn)

Looking Ahead: Politics and the Election Cycle

• Election Outlook:
  • Arnn predicts the 2026 midterms will hinge on the economy and public dissatisfaction with government, not foreign interventions.
    • Quote: “It's the economy, stupid people. You know, it's the good sense of the American people.” (35:43–35:50, Dr. Larry Arnn)
  • He notes a new era of divided government since the 1960s, with increasing public mistrust in government due to its expansion and inefficiency.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “President Trump has nerve. He's very nervy guy and he just follows…he didn't do it. And it changes the world.” (05:44–06:02, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• “The president is accountable for that in the short term... if this turns into a mess, you know, the midterms are coming, right?” (18:55–19:19, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• “To erase… the conditions of human life… that's just despotism. And it will lead to what C.S. lewis called the abolition of man.” (30:40–31:07, Dr. Larry Arnn)
• “If you attempt...to take [property], that's force. And that is socialism. That's dangerous.” (32:34–32:41, Dr. Larry Arnn and Hugh Hewitt)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Hillsdale’s Mission and the K-12 Movement: 02:13–04:14
• Discussion of Venezuela Operation: 05:23–08:39
• Presidential War Powers Under the Constitution: 09:30–16:58
• Historical Examples of Executive Action: 16:58–19:46
• Louisiana Purchase & Jefferson’s Precedent: 20:44–22:54
• The Trump Effect & Reaction of the Left: 22:50–25:10
• Socialism, Youth, and Modern Politics: 26:25–32:41
• Election Year and Midterms Analysis: 34:47–37:44

Tone and Style

The conversation is cerebral, historically grounded, and peppered with wit—especially from Dr. Arnn, who often uses anecdotes and references to American founding principles. There's a sense of urgency and gravitas given the contemporary relevance, but the discussion maintains an academic, sometimes playful tenor.

Summary Takeaways

• The episode offers a robust constitutional and historical analysis of executive war powers and their practical exercise.
• Trump’s actions in Venezuela are situated within this larger history and assessed both strategically and constitutionally.
• The broader conversation connects civic education, generational attitudes, and political polarization to foundational principles and enduring challenges.
• Arnn’s perspective offers a hopeful but sober reminder of the importance of education, prudence in power, and the persistent need to guard against utopian promises—grounding each in historical precedent.