Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Maduro Pleads Not Guilty To All Charges
Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Dana Perino
Panel: Greg Gutfeld, Emily Compagno, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters

Overview

In this episode, the panel dissects the dramatic capture and arraignment of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who plead not guilty to sweeping drug and weapons charges in the U.S. The hosts debate the motives, legalities, and global ramifications of the U.S. operation, discuss Venezuela's future leadership, and critique partisan reactions in the U.S. They also touch on a brewing fraud scandal in Minnesota and cultural trends surrounding public praise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Capture and Arraignment of Maduro

• Opening Context: Maduro and his wife, arrested in a U.S. military operation, loudly claim innocence and allege kidnapping. President Trump defends the action, citing national security and drug interdiction.
  • Dana Perino (00:33): "A defiant dictator having his day in court. Ousted Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro... All this comes after a breathtaking dead of night capture at the hands of the US Military."

The Raid and U.S. Motives

• Jesse Watters (02:36): Lauds the Delta Force's precise execution and notes the absence of any regime collapse.

  • "Audacious, Dana... They cuff him, they bring him home. Absolutely incredible... But, Dana, this is not regime change. This is just trying to change the regime's behavior."

• Greg Gutfeld (02:05): Argues the U.S. now calls the shots in Venezuela, especially regarding oil access.

  • "It means we're in charge... We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country..."

What Comes Next for Venezuela

• Discussion:
  • Political continuity under interim leader Delsey Rodriguez, cooperation with the U.S., and possible U.S. corporate involvement in oil.
  • Jesse Watters (03:41): Explains U.S. leverage via a naval blockade and willingness to pressure the new regime for compliance with U.S. aims.
  • Harold Ford Jr. (05:24): Highlights bipartisan support—especially in Florida—though raises questions about U.S. motives: anti-narco action or oil interests.

2. The Legal Terrain and Courtroom Dynamics

• Emily Compagno (08:20):

  • Maduro remains defiant in court; wife more subdued. Their defense attorneys contest the venue and process.
  • U.S. legal precedent allows prosecution even if suspects are abducted abroad when U.S. interests are harmed.
  • Quote: "Since the 1800s, this country has settled that it doesn't matter if someone is abducted in a foreign country... We can have it be in any venue."

• Greg critiques Democratic inaction:

  • Notes previous administration's bounty on Maduro and inaction, drawing contrast with Trump’s decisive approach (10:31).

3. U.S. Political Responses and Partisan Debate

Democrat and Media Reactions

• Panel Montage (15:07–16:28):

  • Clips illustrate Democrats’ shifting stances—at first blaming Trump for not ousting Maduro in term one, now decrying the operation as illegal and autocratic.

  • Dana Perino (16:28): “The left is defending a dictator who... stole an election, but only now because during Trump's first term, they went after him for not removing Maduro.”

• Jesse Watters (18:19): Satirizes perceived hypocrisy—Democrats want Trump prosecuted but Maduro freed; policy stances change based on opposition to Trump.

  • Greg Gutfeld (18:25): Mocks the left for “opposing themselves,” references flip-flopping on Maduro and calls out inconsistencies in legal and moral positioning.

Legality of the Action

• Emily Compagno (20:43): Explains U.S. jurisdiction and draws parallels to historical actions (Noriega, 1800s cases). Argues the process is lawful, regardless of international complaints or sovereignty concerns.

Congressional Consultation / Secrecy

• Harold Ford Jr. (23:05):
  • Insists Congress should have been informed or consulted due to the military nature of the mission.
  • Greg Gutfeld (25:16): Counters that leaking was too big a risk; secrecy ensured operational success.

4. The "Don Roe Doctrine" and Hemispheric Strategy

• Greg Gutfeld (26:33): Parodies Trump's assertive foreign policy—targeting narco-states and securing hemispheric interests (including unexpectedly, Greenland).

• Emily Compagno (27:34): Reframes Trump’s rhetoric (“you’re next”) as strategic posturing, not unconstitutional chaos.

• Harold Ford Jr. (29:06): Calls for explicit presidential communication to clarify objectives—if the goal is oil, modernization, or broader stability.

  • Dana Perino (30:24): Links stabilizing Venezuela to improved U.S. border control, supporting action “at the source.”
  • Jesse Watters (31:52): Notes regional political realignment away from China, predicts Cuba could collapse next with America pressuring Venezuela.

5. Broader Themes and Culturally Resonant Moments

Fraud in Minnesota

• Emily Compagno & Panel (33:07): Discuss Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek reelection amidst a massive fraud scandal, suggesting this is just the tip of the iceberg and that corruption is a multi-state issue.

Social Trends: Recognition Culture

• Greg Gutfeld (39:06):
  • Riffs on fitness “shout outs” and the proliferation of praise for mundane achievements as a sign of cultural decay.
  • Dana Perino (39:53): "I hate all graduations, unless it's high school or college, all this other nonsense... That's what leads to this kind of ridiculousness."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Jesse Watters (02:36):
  • "Audacious, Dana. First, big props to Delta Force... Absolutely incredible when you think about what could have gone wrong."
• Greg Gutfeld (02:05):
  • "Don't ask me who's in charge because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very controversial."
  • "It means we're in charge. We're going to have the big oil companies go in and they're going to fix the infrastructure and they're going to invest money. We're not going to invest anything. We're going to just take care of the country."
• Emily Compagno (08:20):
  • "Since the 1800s, this country has settled that it doesn't matter if someone is abducted in a foreign country... We can have it be in any venue."
• Greg Gutfeld (10:59):
  • "This is like Trump is kind of like the parents that become the trustees of a drug addled celebrity. Like he's just going over there, he's just running the business until you can get back on your feet."
• Dana Perino (16:28):
  • "The left is defending a dictator who... stole an election, but only now because during Trump's first term, they went after him for not removing Maduro."
• Emily Compagno (20:43):
  • "The whole point is that... Even if, per the Noriega comment, even if the capture violated international law... nothing strips the court of the jurisdiction over this criminal case."
• Greg Gutfeld (25:16):
  • "There is no trust. It would have been leaked immediately and those people would have died."
• Jesse Watters (31:53):
  • "Do you know how many right wing pro American governments have just seized power in Latin America? Argentina. Chile. Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, Honduras. Pro American governments are sweeping this hemisphere."
• Dana Perino (39:53):
  • "I hate all graduations, unless it's high school or college, all this other nonsense. Kindergarten, fifth grade... That's what leads to this kind of ridiculousness."

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:33 | News intro and context of Maduro's arrest | | 02:36 | Breakdown of the military operation and U.S. goals | | 05:12 | U.S. leverage over the new Venezuelan regime | | 08:20 | Legal status of Maduro in U.S. courts | | 10:31 | Contrast with Democrats’ previous inaction | | 15:07–16:28 | Democrat/media reactions and debate montage | | 18:19 | Panel critiques alleged Democrat hypocrisy | | 20:43 | Court jurisdiction & historical precedent explained | | 23:05 | Congressional consultation—should Congress have been briefed?| | 26:33 | "Don Roe Doctrine," U.S. hemispheric priorities declared | | 31:52 | Latin America's political shift, U.S. contest with China | | 33:07 | Minnesota fraud scandal and governor's withdrawal | | 39:06 | Societal obsession with public praise |

Overall Tone & Style

The tone is energetic, sometimes irreverent, with trademark sarcasm and banter among the panelists. Debate flips between sharp political critique and comic asides, with discussions rooted in both legal precedent and cultural observation. The panel vocally credits U.S. military prowess and Republican resolve, while lampooning perceived Democratic hypocrisy and the culture of public recognition.

Conclusion

In this episode, "The Five" tackles the U.S. operation against Maduro as both a triumph of surgical action and a move raising complex questions about motives and legality. The panel sharply divides partisan responses, reasserts U.S. hemispheric doctrine, and mixes serious commentary with their signature humor and skepticism toward both legal process and cultural trends.