Squawk Pod – Special Envoy to Greenland Gov. Jeff Landry (January 6, 2026)

Overview

In this episode, the “Squawk Pod” crew dives deep into the escalating U.S. involvement in Venezuela following President Trump’s intervention and explores the controversial assignment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. The episode also examines the ripple effects of California’s proposed billionaire tax and contemplates the modern meaning of the Monroe Doctrine. Through lively debate and interview, the pod offers candid analysis, sharp wit, and pointed questions about foreign and domestic policy, economic opportunity, and American power projection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Venezuela: Regime Change, Oil, and U.S. Strategy

• Historical Context & U.S. Motives

  • Daniel Osorio (Andean Capital Advisor) compares the Venezuelan operation's scale and impact to the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.

    “This is the biggest thing that has happened in US foreign policy to Latin America in 65 years since the Bay of Pigs.” (04:11, Daniel Osorio)

  • The U.S. administration signals a return to a more direct assertion of control in the Western Hemisphere, reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine, summarized bluntly in the State Department’s social posts: “This is our hemisphere.” (04:31–04:56)

• Regional and Economic Fallout

  • Osorio outlines how millions of Venezuelan refugees strained neighboring states, especially Colombia.

    “8 million people left Venezuela. It’s the largest migration, I think, since the Second World War... There are 5 million of them in Colombia.” (06:15, Osorio)

  • The change in leadership is received ecstatically by Venezuelans (except former regime insiders), but the real question is what comes next in terms of governance and U.S. involvement.

• Oil and Investment Prospects

  • Osorio predicts a “Marshall Plan for Venezuela” funded by oil revenues, not U.S. taxpayer dollars.

    “US oil service companies were up 7, 8% yesterday. The Venezuelan defaulted bonds were up 30% yesterday... I think there’s going to be the equivalent of a Marshall Plan for Venezuela.” (08:41, 12:48, Osorio)

  • The U.S. oil industry’s readiness is debated; some anticipate quick entry, others are skeptical due to current oil prices.

• Crypto as Survival, Not Speculation

  • Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies assume essential roles amid Venezuela's hyperinflation, helping citizens maintain purchasing power.

    “They use certain cryptos to buy a sandwich. They use Bitcoin to save. Because imagine if you have a currency that literally dissolves out of your hands.” (10:34, Osorio)

• “Dollarization” & Economic Rebuilding

  • The prospect of Venezuela officially switching to the U.S. dollar arises as a solution to restore stability.

    “If I was a central bank governor of Venezuela, might just be easier to dollarize the economy.” (14:03, Osorio)

2. California Billionaire Tax – Political and Economic Tensions

• Mayor Matt Mahan (San Jose) Pushes Back

  • Mahan publicly criticizes the proposed wealth tax, warning of innovation flight and fiscal shortfalls.

    “We need a rising economic tide to lift all boats, not a political plan that is going to sink California’s innovation economy.” (16:23, reading Mahan’s statement)

• Sharp Studio Debate

  • The group discusses resentment toward billionaires and the potential adverse outcomes of driving them out.

    "Driving billionaires out of the state might feel good in the short run... but working people will pick up the tab for this political ploy." (16:51, Mahan cited) “Why don’t they like the billionaires?” (17:41, Joe Kernan)
    “Because they think that the world is unequal, which it is.” (17:52, Andrew Ross Sorkin)

  • Discussion turns to tax base concentration, economic opportunity, and the risks of equalizing outcomes versus opportunities.

3. The Monroe Doctrine Revived: Greenland & U.S. Ambitions

• Governor Jeff Landry Interview (Louisiana/Greenland Envoy)

  • Landry emphasizes that the administration is not seeking to “seize” Greenland by force but wants to offer economic and strategic partnership.

    “I think that the president supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States.” (30:08, Landry)

  • Reaffirms the U.S. has had a defense treaty with Greenland since 1941, positioning involvement as logical, not imperialistic.

    “We can offer Greenland more than Europe is.” (30:41, Landry)

  • Landry pivots between saying “everything is on the table” and strongly denying the use of force.

    “I think we should go to Greenland and say, hey, what kind of opportunities would you like?… I don’t think [Trump] is ready to actually seize Greenland… If they want to join, great.” (31:47, 28:14, Landry)

• Debate Over International Law, NATO, and European Reaction

  • Hosts highlight comparisons to Russia-Ukraine and note European leaders’ warnings about consequences for NATO.

    “This has Europe… talking about it almost being like Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.” (29:39, Joe Kernan)

  • Landry defends an American renewal of interest as an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, not a violation of international law.

    “When has the United States engaged in imperialism? Europe has engaged in imperialism. The Danish have Greenland because of imperialism.” (29:39, Landry)

• Landry on U.S. Strategy: Carrots, Not Sticks

  • Discusses potential “economic purchase” or “partnership,” not coercion.

    "We’d have to have the people of Greenland say, this is what we want." (33:53, Joe Kernan) "Absolutely." (34:01, Landry)

• Monroe Doctrine and U.S. Global Role

  • Sorkin probes public statements like “this is our hemisphere,” which some interpret as imperial assertion.

    “Some of the language that the president [is] using… is the opposite. It comes from a different side of saying, we basically own you.” (35:54, Sorkin) “I think that presidents who have allowed the Monroe Doctrine to erode were acting irresponsibly. And so we’re in a position now where we have to reinforce it.” (36:42, Landry)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Venezuela:

  • “Every Venezuelan, with the exception of a few thousand people that used to run that regime are ecstatic. So whenever there’s a debate of should we have done this? Should we have done that? The Venezuelans are ecstatic because they’re going to get their country back.” (06:59, Osorio)
  • “Technocrats can’t be there without boots. And I think it’s not one of those jobs you can work from home.” (07:51, Osorio, on U.S. involvement in Venezuela)

• On Bitcoin as Lifeline:

  • “Crypto has been the answer... You work for a week and it’s gone—huge inflation, massive currency devaluation… there are no dollars there.” (10:58, Osorio)

• On Wealth Taxes and Exoduses:

  • “Driving billionaires out of the state might feel good in the short run...” (16:51, quoting Mahan)
  • “I think that we need to equalize opportunity, not equalize outcome.” (19:37, Joe Kernan)

• On Monroe Doctrine and Greenland:

  • “If Greenland wanted to come to the United States, if they wanted, if they want...” (29:59, Landry)
  • “When has the United States engaged in imperialism?... Europe has engaged in imperialism.” (29:39, Landry)
  • “Everything is on the table.” (31:40, Landry)

• Candid Banter:

  • “I won’t continue the [birthday celebration].” (22:12, Becky Quick)
  • “Let me know who gets it because they got to buy the next [king cake].” (38:09, Landry)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Venezuela U.S. Operation, Oil, Crypto — 04:05–15:20
• California Billionaire Tax & Politics — 16:23–20:09
• Congressional Briefings on Venezuela — 22:38–26:42
• Greenland: Interview with Gov. Jeff Landry — 27:37–38:23

Tone and Language

The discussion is spirited, unscripted, and often witty—anchored by heated debates, direct questions, and tongue-in-cheek references (Godfather analogies, Seinfeld, Ferris Bueller). Policy is discussed with a blend of seriousness and irreverence, matching the style of the Squawk Box hosts.

Summary Takeaway

This episode captures a turning point in U.S. hemispheric strategy, marked by the assertive application of the Monroe Doctrine in Venezuela and the jaw-dropping appointment of a “special envoy” to Greenland. Panelists and interviewees unpack the complexities—geopolitical, economic, and moral—of U.S. power moves, dissect state-level economic policies, and challenge the boundaries of American ambition. Governor Landry’s interview offers rare candor about U.S. intentions in Greenland while reflecting the administration’s posture: everything, it seems, is on the table.