The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode Summary: "The Great Venezuela Caper and America First"
Date: January 5, 2026
Guests: Andy Biggs (Congressman & Arizona Governor Candidate), Blake Neff (Producer), David Zier (Reporter, Real America’s Voice)
Main Theme: America’s intervention in Venezuela following the ouster of dictator Nicolás Maduro, what it means for the "America First" movement, and a deep dive into Arizona politics with Andy Biggs’ gubernatorial campaign.

Overview

The episode centers on breaking news that Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has been deposed and stands arraigned in a Manhattan federal court, following a U.S.-led intervention. The show dives into the legal, political, and practical implications of this action from an unapologetically American conservative and "America First" perspective. In addition, the episode features an in-depth conversation with Congressman Andy Biggs regarding his campaign for governor of Arizona and the state’s most urgent economic and political challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Venezuela Operation and Congressional Response

• Discussion opens on the secrecy of the Maduro intervention, criticism that Congress was kept in the dark, and whether that was justified.
  • Andy Biggs notes, “Congress leaks like a sieve. And that was wise.” (03:26)
• Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' criticism is dismissed:
  • Biggs: "He didn't answer the question ... that's not the legal standard ... Congress should not have been pre-briefed." (04:22)
• Legal framework: Biggs contextualizes the action via precedent (Noriega in Panama), emphasizing it wasn’t “American adventurism” but “enforcing the law” against a cartel leader threatening U.S. interests.
  • “Maduro was indicted. This was a legal issue ... the second the military had control ... they gave them to law enforcement.” (06:18)

2. Monroe Doctrine Redux: Justification of U.S. Intervention

• Rubio clip underscores the traditional justification: Monroe Doctrine—preventing foreign adversaries from controlling regional resources.
  • Rubio (clip): “We’re not going to allow ... adversaries of the United States ... to destabilize our region in our own backyard.” (05:24)
• Discussion of dangers and skepticism:
  • Neff voices concern about “mission creep” and unnecessary nation-building: “Are U.S. troops in Venezuela long term, are they trying to control the interior of the country? ...Those are questions that are still going to need to be answered.”
  • Settled consensus: The intervention was legal and effective, but risk remains of future entanglement.

3. America First Doctrine: Is “Running Venezuela” Consistent?

• A reporter asks President Trump: "Why is running a country in South America America First?"
  • Trump (clip): “We want to surround ourselves with good neighbors … We want to surround ourselves with energy. … We need that for ourselves. We need that for the world.” (08:41)
• Biggs affirms: “Nation building is not what we should be engaged in here. … what we want to do is just make sure [Venezuela has] good elections.” (09:28)
• The panel remains wary of over-involvement, wondering aloud how closely the U.S. will need to manage Venezuela’s transition.

4. Arizona Politics: Biggs’ Vision for Governor

• Andy Biggs lays out his agenda: restoring the American Dream, affordable housing, border security, job creation, and fighting regulatory overreach.
  • Biggs: “We’ll restore border protections ... we’ll also put the American dream back out there. … create jobs again ... and [restore] infrastructure.” (11:19)
• Arizona’s affordability crisis and the role of regulation:
  • Housing shortages and water restrictions linked to policies from current Gov. Katie Hobbs.
  • Insights into possible desalination projects with Mexico, complications due to cartel influence, and Israeli security partners. (14:26)
• Polling: Biggs dominates the GOP primary but faces challenges on economy messaging versus Hobbs in a general election scenario.

5. Broader Implications: Intervention Risks & Skepticism

• Neff draws historical parallels—emphasizing initial ‘quick wins’ in foreign interventions often give way to long-term quagmires.
  • Neff: “Our endeavors in the Middle East looked better early on … then it was the following twenty years where everything went horribly wrong.” (27:07)
• Calls for caution:
  • “If this is a thing where U.S. soldiers have been killed, that's very different … you have to avoid getting US servicemen killed. And even just the jump from zero to one is going to be very important.” (36:52)
• Reaction to ‘neocon’ saber-rattling:
  • Panel notes Lindsey Graham and others already call for action against Cuba, Colombia—warning about “mission creep” and the perils of hubris.

6. On-the-ground Update: Maduro’s Arraignment

• David Zier reports live from Manhattan courthouse:
  • Maduro and his wife plead not guilty, claim innocence and prisoner-of-war status.
  • “Maduro defiantly pled not guilty … says he is a good man … went on a speech in Spanish … asked for prisoner-of-war treatment.” (40:04)
  • Next court date set for March 16th; possible transfer of trial to Florida discussed.

7. Communicating the Intervention to the American Public

• Debate over selling the Venezuela intervention to the public amid a domestic affordability crisis.
  • D (host): “The biggest challenge is going to be communicating why this is good for America ... our base is clamoring for us to focus on domestic issues and here we are again.” (36:41)
• Neff on lessons from history:
  • “Economic stuff beats out foreign policy stuff. ... victory was just totally forgotten.” (38:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Biggs on Congressional Secrecy: “Congress leaks like a sieve. And that was wise.” (03:26)
• Rubio (clip) on Monroe Doctrine: “They are not going to come from outside our hemisphere, destabilize our region ... not under President Trump.” (05:24)
• Biggs on the intervention: “From a guy who was the head of a cartel that was coming after the U.S.” (07:14)
• Neff on intervention cost: “Are U.S. troops in Venezuela long term, are they trying to control the interior of the country? ...Those are questions that are still going to need to be answered.” (07:30)
• Trump (clip) on America First: “We want to surround ourselves with good neighbors … We need that for ourselves. We need that for the world.” (08:46)
• Biggs on nation building: “Nation building is not what we should be engaged in here. And I don’t think that’s what the President intends.” (09:28)
• Biggs on Arizona’s housing/water crisis: “Even Katie Hobbs own Water Resources department said we have 6 to 700 million acre feet of water underground in Arizona, but they just don’t allow us to access it ... that’s about 300-year supply.” (14:49)
• Neff on historical caution: “Our endeavors in the Middle East looked better early on ... then it was the following 20 years where everything went horribly wrong.” (27:07)
• Neff on messaging: “If this is a disaster for us, the fact that they were hypocrites is definitely not going to bail us out ... focus always is make sure that this intervention is not damaging to America.” (33:56)
• On Maduro’s fall (clip): “He effed around and he found out. President Trump is deadly serious about stopping the flow of gangs and violence to our country ... This is about the safety, security, freedom and prosperity of the American people.” (36:00)
• David Zier (reporter) from courthouse: “Maduro defiantly pled not guilty ... said he’s a prisoner of war ... Judge Hellerstein cut him off.” (40:04)
• Neff on campaign lessons: “Remember, George H.W. Bush won the Gulf War ... 85% approval ... loses re-election. That’s how much economic stuff beats out foreign policy stuff.” (38:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:26] — Andy Biggs on congressional secrecy and leaks regarding Venezuela intervention
• [05:24] — Rubio’s doctrine: U.S. intervention, Monroe Doctrine reframed
• [06:18] — Biggs details legal and strategic rationale for the operation
• [08:41] — Reporter’s question to President Trump: Is this America First?
• [09:28] — Biggs: America should not engage in nation building
• [11:19] — Andy Biggs presents his vision for Arizona as Governor
• [14:26] — Desalination plan for Arizona water, Mexico cartel complications
• [18:23] — Discussion of inflation, economic challenges under Biden vs. Trump
• [27:07] — Blake Neff draws caution from Iraq and Afghanistan quagmires
• [32:49] — Host plays Democrat criticisms about Venezuela intervention
• [36:00] — Trump admin’s hard line on Maduro: “He effed around and he found out”
• [40:04] — Live report: David Zier from Manhattan on Maduro’s arraignment
• [44:12] — Legal background: NY jurisdiction of Maduro’s indictment

Closing Thoughts

The show skillfully melds urgent geopolitical developments with grassroots conservative activism, balancing triumphalism over the successful Maduro operation with sober caution against nation-building and foreign entanglement. Panelists largely endorse Trump’s assertiveness but voice recurring warnings about overreach, hypocrisy, and the need to keep American interests at the forefront. The episode closes with an in-the-trenches update from Manhattan and a rally for supporting Andy Biggs’ gubernatorial bid in Arizona.