Podcast Summary: "Rep. Pat Ryan Responds to Trump’s Speech on Venezuela Attack"

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Date: January 4, 2026
Guests: Rep. Pat Ryan
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Brett Meiselas, Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme

This episode discusses the dramatic aftermath of former President Donald Trump's military invasion of Venezuela, the kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro, and the wide-ranging political, diplomatic, and ethical implications for the United States. Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan joins the brothers to analyze Trump’s statements, question the administration's motivations, and urge action from both Congress and the public.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fallout from Trump's Invasion of Venezuela (00:00–02:34)

• Venezuela’s Defiant Response: Acting Venezuelan President Delsey Rodriguez asserts, "Venezuela will never be a colony of any nation," reaffirming Maduro as the sole president.
• Report of Military Casualties: Trump openly admits during a press conference that “many Cubans lost their lives last night,” referring to Cuban soldiers protecting Maduro.
• Diplomatic Tensions: Presence of Chinese officials in Venezuela during the incursion triggers speculation about possible international diplomatic fallout, notably with China and Russia.
• Loss of Opposition Leader's Support: Trump publicly disparages opposition leader Maria Corina Machado:

  “I think it’d be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect.” (Trump, 02:46–02:54)

2. Interview with Rep. Pat Ryan – Reaction to the Attack (03:36–05:12)

• Personal Outrage and Historical Parallels: Rep. Pat Ryan, a military veteran, reacts emotionally:

  “This is not a good day for our country. Americans are now – we gotta be very clear and strong about this. This does not make the American people safer. It does not make America stronger. It certainly tarnishes our reputation.” (Pat Ryan, 03:42)

• He compares Trump’s actions to igniting another “forever war,” echoing experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Family Impact: Shares the difficulty of explaining the situation to his young children:

  “I was watching this press conference with my two young boys…my six year old asked me, ‘Why are we bombing another country?’” (Pat Ryan, 04:21)

3. “Putinesque” Tactics and American Identity Crisis (05:12–06:27)

• Host Ben draws parallels between Trump's rhetoric and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian style:

  “It’s very Putinesque language…Unrecognizable what our country is under this Trump regime.” (Ben Meiselas, 05:58)

• Trump’s justification for invasion—Venezuela “stole our oil”—fuels comparisons to Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine.
• Republican Contradictions: Marco Rubio claims there was no need for Congressional approval, framing the action as legal rather than military, while Trump openly aims to seize oil.

4. Deepening Concerns & Congressional Response (06:27–08:42)

• Decades-Long Pattern: Rep. Ryan connects current events to historical patterns of U.S. interventionism, referencing rhetoric from the Iraq War and the manipulation of evidence and public opinion.
• Bipartisan Failings: While not equating U.S. democracy to authoritarianism, Ryan criticizes both parties' complicity in foreign interventions:

  “We have a record in this country…not comparing us, of course, to Putin or authoritarianism…but we need to get this out to the American people, that this is about oil and regime change.” (Pat Ryan, 07:12)

• Upcoming Congressional Votes: Ryan highlights attempts to require Congressional authorization and describes upcoming War Powers votes as potential turning points.

5. What Can Be Done—Political and Civic Action (08:42–12:15)

• Helplessness vs. Action: Hosts discuss Americans’ feeling of powerlessness in the face of such unilateral executive action.
• Rep. Ryan urges activism:

  “Don’t agonize—organize…Flood the phones and email boxes and text messages…of every Republican, specifically those…vulnerable senators and Republican House members that have come out and blatantly…ignored their constitutional responsibilities.” (Pat Ryan, 10:36–11:40)

• Grassroots Pressure: He reassures that constituent lobbying does influence Congressional votes, especially among vulnerable House members and Senators.
• Renewed Anti-War Movement: Ryan calls for a resurgence of anti-war activism, echoing opposition movements of prior eras.

6. Closing Remarks (12:15–12:15)

• Ben thanks Rep. Ryan for his candor and service, reinforcing the show’s mission to inform, organize, and inspire listeners to action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Motivation:

  “[Trump] is willing to send our blood and treasure, our tax dollars and our precious young men and women to, quote, ‘run Venezuela’—whatever the hell that means—with no plan, clearly no coordination…”
  (Rep. Pat Ryan, 04:00)

• On Personal Outrage:

  “I am outraged right now…as my 6 year old asked me, why are we bombing another country? And that’s just…it’s the opposite of what Donald Trump ran on blatantly.”
  (Rep. Pat Ryan, 04:18–04:36)

• On Organizing for Change:

  “Don’t agonize—organize.”
  (Rep. Pat Ryan, 11:50)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:34: Fallout from invasion, casualties, Trump’s dismissal of Machado.
• 03:36–05:12: Rep. Pat Ryan’s reaction and emotional impact.
• 05:12–06:27: Ben’s comparison to Putin, breakdown of regime’s rhetoric.
• 06:27–08:42: Congressional response, historical context, War Powers votes.
• 08:42–12:15: Civic action, organizing constituents, call to activism.

Tone & Style

The episode blends urgent, sometimes emotional political analysis with the Meiselas brothers’ signature banter and direct conversation style. Rep. Pat Ryan’s contributions are frank, personal, and focused on appealing to core democratic values, while the hosts provide sharp, sometimes wry commentary on recent events and U.S. political tradition.

For listeners: This episode provides an in-depth, candid look at the consequences of Trump’s actions in Venezuela, the dangers of unchecked executive power, and the need for civic engagement to uphold American democratic norms. Rep. Pat Ryan’s military background and passion underscore the episode’s urgency and importance for anyone concerned about the future of U.S. foreign policy and democracy.