Podcast Summary: Letters from an American (Heather Cox Richardson)

Episode: January 4, 2026 | Released: January 5, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Heather Cox Richardson examines the aftermath and ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s military strikes on Venezuela and the administration’s claimed intention to "run Venezuela." Richardson unpacks the unfolding constitutional, legal, and international implications, the administration's conflicting public statements, the reactions from Congress and American public opinion, and draws upon analogous historical U.S. interventions to contextualize the present moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Administration Messaging Chaos

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on major Sunday talk shows to explain the U.S. stance after the Venezuelan strikes.
  • On ABC’s This Week, Rubio relied on economic leverage—sanctioned oil tankers—as justification for U.S. control and sidestepped direct questions about “running” Venezuela.
  • When pressed by George Stephanopoulos:
    • Rubio: “We expect to see changes in Venezuela.” (01:45)
  • Contradictory statements:
    • Rubio framed the action as law enforcement, but Trump publicly stated intentions to run Venezuela directly and seize its oil fields.
    • Richardson: “If the strikes were a law enforcement operation, officials will need to explain how officers managed to kill so many civilians…” (03:17)

2. The "Running Venezuela" Controversy

• George Stephanopoulos and Kristen Welker both pressed Rubio on whether he was, in effect, being appointed to run a sovereign country.
  • Rubio: Frustrated by the repeated questions, failed to offer a clear answer except emphasizing U.S. leverage.
• Historian Kevin Kruse criticized the unprecedented nature of the administration’s posture:
  • Kruse Quote: “Yeah, people are fixating on a cabinet secretary being given a sovereign country to run because the president waged war without congressional approval and kidnapped the old leader.” (02:42)

3. Illegality and Lack of Congressional Authorization

• Rubio insisted no congressional approval was needed since the operation was characterized as a “law enforcement operation.”
  • But Trump contradicted this claim by openly discussing regime change and running the country’s oil fields.
• The strikes’ civilian casualties are mounting—80 reported dead, including civilians and security forces.

4. Regional Hegemony & Threats Toward Cuba

• Rubio and Trump both implied more assertive U.S. action in the Western Hemisphere; Trump threatened Venezuela’s new president (Delsey Rodriguez) and even floated the need to acquire Greenland for defense.
  • Simon Rosenberg’s Critique:
    • Quote: “[We must] marvel at the titanic idiocy of our new Don Row doctrine, for it turns America from a global power into a regional one by choice.” (04:22)

5. Venezuelan Response

• President Delsey Rodriguez (succeeding Maduro) demanded Maduro’s return and denounced U.S. colonialism.
• Richardson notes that U.S. interference may bolster Maduro’s legitimacy domestically rather than weakening his support.

6. Domestic Public Opinion

• Stats show clear public opposition to intervention:
  • Only 16% supported U.S. invasion in September; 62% opposed.
  • December poll: 60% opposed deploying troops; only 33% approve.
  • Even proposed strikes against Venezuelan boats failed to gain majority support.
  • Richardson: “By the time American forces touched Venezuelan soil... Trump had already lost the public.” (07:22)

7. Congressional Outrage & Legal Issues

• Congress, both parties, blindsided:
  • Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Gang of Eight, had “zero outreach”—neither he nor fellow Democrats were notified.
    • Himes: “So apparently we're now in a world where the legal obligation to keep the Congress informed only applies to your party, which is really something.” (08:40)
  • Senate Minority Leader Schumer claimed the administration outright misled Congress before the operation.
    • Schumer: “They've kept everyone in the total dark.” (09:17)
• DOJ’s refusal to obey the Epstein Files Transparency Act seen as a test of congressional resolve—with the administration currently “winning.”

8. Warnings from Past U.S. Interventions

• Himes draws parallels: “This is exactly the euphoria we felt in 2002 when our military took down the Taliban... in 2003 when we took out Saddam Hussein, and in 2011 when we helped remove Muammar Gaddafi... And what we learned the day after... is that it's an awful lot easier to break a country than... run it.” (09:50)
• Predicts the Trump administration has no real plan for aftermath, as in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya.

9. Direct Criticism from Congress

• Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA):
  • Quote: “The US Attack on Venezuela is illegal. Congress never authorized this use of military force. I will vote to stop it. This is insane... Trump's response is we're going to run another country. Bats crazy.” (10:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |--------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:42 | Kevin Kruse | “Yeah, people are fixating on a cabinet secretary being given a sovereign country to run because the president waged war without congressional approval and kidnapped the old leader.” | | 04:22 | Simon Rosenberg | “We must also marvel at the titanic idiocy of our new Don Row doctrine, for it turns America from a global power into a regional one by choice.” | | 08:40 | Rep. Jim Himes | “So apparently we're now in a world where the legal obligation to keep the Congress informed only applies to your party, which is really something.” | | 09:17 | Sen. Chuck Schumer | “They've kept everyone in the total dark.” | | 09:50 | Rep. Jim Himes | “What we learned the day after the euphoria phase is that it's an awful lot easier to break a country than it is to actually do what the president promised to do, which is to run it.” | | 10:45 | Rep. Ted Lieu | “The US Attack on Venezuela is illegal. Congress never authorized this use of military force. I will vote to stop it. This is insane... Bats crazy.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 01:00-04:00 — Rubio’s talk show appearances and legal justifications (or lack thereof) for the actions in Venezuela.
• 04:00-06:00 — Trump’s public threats, shifting narratives, and the administration’s vision for U.S. dominance in the hemisphere.
• 06:00-08:00 — Polls and evidence of deep public opposition to intervention in Venezuela.
• 08:00-10:00 — Congressional anger over being left in the dark; administration accused of misleading lawmakers.
• 10:00-10:53 — Historical parallels to failed U.S. interventions; pointed condemnation from Representatives Himes and Lieu.

Conclusion

Richardson closes with an urgent warning drawn from history: the Trump administration’s moves in Venezuela echo previous, disastrous U.S. interventions carried out without clear plans for nation-building or congressional backing. Despite overwhelming public and congressional opposition, the administration continues to disregard legal requirements and democratic norms, raising profound concerns about the health of American democracy and the future of U.S. foreign policy.