Podcast Summary – No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen
Episode: Trump's FATAL mistake with Venezuela invasion
Date: January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

Brian Tyler Cohen’s midweek episode dives deep into Donald Trump’s controversial military intervention in Venezuela and the global aftermath it threatens to unleash. Cohen hosts four key interviews with Biden’s Deputy National Security Adviser John Finer, Obama-era NSC spokesman Tommy Vietor, Senator Mark Kelly, and journalist Adam Klassfeld. Together they dissect the hypocrisy, dangers, and international ripple effects of Trump’s aggressive foreign policy—particularly as it emboldens adversaries like China and shakes democratic alliances like NATO to their core.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Invasion of Venezuela: Motives and Consequences

[00:01–05:39]

• Cohen’s Opening Analysis:
  • Trump’s decision to take control of Venezuela is positioned as the start of an “imperialist era,” with similar threats to Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, and potentially Panama.
  • Pointed Critique: The U.S. is already a major oil exporter. Cohen notes that seizing Venezuelan oil doesn’t grant energy independence, as oil goes to global markets, and supply increases could be offset by OPEC.
  • Big Picture Threat: By normalizing imperial land grabs, Trump gifts China a tacit green light to seize Taiwan and dominate the crucial semiconductor industry, shifting the balance of power.

“Trump is basically handing the future of the world to Xi Jinping on a silver platter…and the goons in the GOP know better.” – Brian Tyler Cohen [02:45]

• Political Critique:
  • Trump’s policy is seen as an ego-driven bid to enrich donors and bolster his campaign, not actual American interests.
  • Emphasizes the importance of Democrats acting as a check on Trump’s “runaway administration” in the upcoming midterms.

2. Interview: John Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor

[05:40–16:59]

Analysis of Trump’s Foreign Policy U-Turn

• Neocon Redux?
  • Finer expresses shock that Trump, despite his “America First” promises, has embraced Bush-era regime change tactics.
  • Trump’s first year back saw military strikes in countries the U.S. hadn’t targeted before, culminating in the Venezuela intervention.

“He has this inherent squeamishness about the use of force...but President Trump in his first year has now attacked three countries...and now capped it off...with a regime change war.” – John Finer [06:14]

• Shifting Rationale for Intervention:

  • U.S. justification shifted from drug interdiction (without evidence), to targeting Maduro personally, to overtly seeking control of Venezuelan oil.
  • Finer calls the oil rationale “infamously bad” and “embarrassing to say out loud.” [08:10]

• Global Precedent & Blowback:

  • Sets a dangerous precedent: If the U.S. can abduct foreign leaders, others may attempt similar actions.
  • Heightens risk for American civilians and leaders abroad; justifications could be turned against Americans in the future.

“Maybe it’s not realistic for countries to actually get to Trump...but this gives other countries the right to treat civilians who could be American, who could be civilians from allied countries...they say are criminals.” – John Finer [10:37]

• Unpredictable & Dangerous Game:
  • Removing Maduro but leaving his regime intact highlights the lack of clear democratic intentions.
  • Trump appears to prefer a compliant Maduro deputy, risking deeper U.S. entanglement and possible military escalation (“quagmire territory”).

Oil Executives’ Influence

• Cohen asks if Venezuela is Trump’s “quid pro quo” for oil industry donations. Finer says transparency is needed, given the administration’s track record.
• Finer plugs his new podcast, The Long Game.

3. Interview: Tommy Vietor, Pod Save America/World

[18:44–30:37]

Trump’s Greenland Ambitions & the NATO Crisis

• Greenland: From Joke to Threat:
  • White House confirms the military option is “on the table” for acquiring Greenland—a U.S. attempt to exert power over a fellow NATO member (Denmark).
  • European leaders warn that NATO—and post-WWII order—could collapse if the U.S. attacks an ally.

“We are through the looking glass, man. This is, like, truly unprecedented, scary stuff.” – Tommy Vietor [20:29]

• NATO’s Existential Catch-22:

  • If the U.S. invokes Article 5 against itself, the alliance becomes logically and functionally impossible.
  • Without U.S. support, NATO collapses, returning the world to “spheres of influence” and great power Imperialism.

• Cascading Global Risks:

  • Cohen and Vietor warn that if the U.S. moves on Venezuela and Greenland, China has cover to invade Taiwan, securing a chokehold on the semiconductor industry—“technology of the future.”
  • U.S. oil companies will sell Venezuelan oil on the global market, so benefits to regular Americans are limited.

“These are oil companies. The rapacious capitalist organizations are profit-driven.” – Tommy Vietor [25:41]

• Allies and Autocrats:
  • The Trump administration’s actions risk alienating democratic allies and driving them toward Russia and China.
  • Calls out Republican silence, accusing them of prioritizing personal power over national stability and freedom.

4. Interview: Senator Mark Kelly

[30:40–40:34]

Retaliation and Militarization of Politics

• Attack from Defense Secretary:
  • Kelly describes being targeted for echoing military code—that personnel must refuse unlawful orders. Trump called for his execution, while Defense Secretary Hegseth threatened demotion and pension loss.

“They’re sending a message to every retired member of the military, every former service member, every current service member, and every US citizen: Do not cross Donald Trump.” – Mark Kelly [33:18]

• Broader Threats to Free Speech:
  • Raises concern that this is about silencing dissent and sending a chilling message to all Americans.

Regime Change’s Record

• Reiterates the failed history of U.S. regime interventions (Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya), arguing it never secures democracy and often harms U.S. interests.
• Trump’s shifting rationale (drugs, regime change, oil) reflects lack of a coherent plan. In fact, Venezuela is now run by another corrupt figure.

“Regime change should not be the policy of…the United States government. It’s not an effective policy to make us a more successful, more prosperous, and safer nation.” – Mark Kelly [37:10]

Implications for U.S. Adversaries

• Kelly warns that U.S. actions create justification for Xi (China) or Putin (Russia) to do the same in Taiwan, Ukraine, or Kazakhstan, endangering U.S. security and the global economy.

“Giving China the justification to take whatever that next step may be for them is a mistake.” – Mark Kelly [40:14]

5. Interview: Adam Klassfeld, Journalist at All Rise News

[40:38–55:35]

Inside the Maduro Arraignment in New York

• Historic Proceedings:

  • Nicolas Maduro and his wife plead not guilty; their arraignment drew significant press and public protest.

• International Law Crisis:

  • Maduro’s lawyer pledges to fight the legality of “extracting” a foreign leader to stand trial in the U.S.
  • This sets a precedent: If U.S. can do this, what stops other countries from abducting U.S. leaders?
  • Case compared to Manuel Noriega’s (1980s), but with key legal differences.

“If there is an indictment anywhere in the world...will an indictment justify taking away a purported head of state or any national anywhere?” – Adam Klassfeld [44:07]

• Risk of “Might Makes Right”:
  • Experts warn that breaking international norms may erode protections for Americans abroad and make the world less secure.
  • Tough public questions after Trump just pardoned Honduran ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez (also convicted for narco trafficking), raising accusations of hypocrisy.

“What we do today, one’s enemies can do the next day…and that the law of the jungle, the might makes right world, can harm everyone.” – Adam Klassfeld [47:40]

• On the Ground:
  • Klassfeld describes high tensions outside the courthouse with dueling protests and a feeling that “the secrets of two governments are spilling out...and will do so for months and maybe years to come.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cohen: “Trump is basically handing the future of the world to Xi Jinping on a silver platter.” [02:45]
• Finer (on Trump): “He doubled down on that by saying, we are now in charge of…Venezuela and continuing to make threats of sending troops in and even doing more.” [06:44]
• Vietor: “We are through the looking glass, man…truly unprecedented, scary stuff.” [20:48]
• Kelly: “They're sending a message...Do not cross Donald Trump…this is about the freedom of speech that all Americans should enjoy.” [33:18]
• Klassfeld: “If there is an indictment anywhere in the world...will an indictment justify taking away a purported head of state?” [44:07]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Opening/Cohen Rant: [00:01–05:39]
• Interview – John Finer: [05:40–16:59]
• Interview – Tommy Vietor: [18:44–30:37]
• Interview – Sen. Mark Kelly: [30:40–40:34]
• Interview – Adam Klassfeld: [40:38–55:35]

Tone & Language

Brian Tyler Cohen remains sharply critical, conversational, and pointedly progressive. His guests echo a mixture of professional concern, incredulity, and warning about both the specifics of Venezuela’s invasion and the broader implications for American democracy and global stability.

In summary:
This episode paints Trump’s Venezuela invasion as a short-sighted, ego-driven blunder with dire consequences for American security and the global order. Guests detail how Trump’s actions threaten democratic norms, empower adversaries, and endanger international law—not just today, but for years to come.