The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Senator Adam Schiff Discusses War Powers Resolution against Trump
Date: January 9, 2026
Guests: Senator Adam Schiff
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the recent bipartisan passage of a War Powers Resolution in the Senate that restricts President Donald Trump’s authority to take military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval. The Meiselas brothers interview Senator Adam Schiff, principal co-sponsor of the resolution, to unpack the motivations behind the bill, respond to Trump’s criticisms, and discuss broader implications for American democracy, presidential power, and foreign policy. The conversation also touches on recent events involving ICE in Minnesota, the DOJ’s handling of Epstein files, and shifting political alliances in Congress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution on Venezuela

Timestamp: 03:58 – 07:57

• Background & Motivation

  • The Senate passed a War Powers Act resolution 52-47, limiting President Trump’s ability to expand military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval.
  • Senator Adam Schiff was the principal co-sponsor alongside Senator Tim Kaine.
  • Schiff explains the urgency: The administration originally justified intervention on stopping drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, but this argument doesn’t hold since the drug comes from Mexico and China, not Venezuela.

• Oil as the True Motive

  • Schiff emphatically states the real reason for military action is to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
  • This pivot was transparent: “This claim that this was about narcotics was a ruse. This is about oil.” — Senator Schiff [05:49]
  • Trump openly stated the goal was Venezuelan oil, causing bipartisan concern over a potential endless war “about oil, not drugs, not democracy.”

• Senate’s Bipartisan Momentum

  • Growing Republican support is tied to fear of a costly, unending war: “Republicans are deeply concerned that we're going to get bogged down another endless war about oil. And that is not what we want to see happen. It's not what the American people want to see happen.” — Senator Schiff [06:50]

• Trump’s Response and Accusations

  • Trump condemned GOP Senators who voted for the resolution, called the War Powers Act unconstitutional, and accused critics of undermining U.S. defense.
  • Schiff dismisses Trump’s constitutional claim, contextualizing it as another example of the former president’s desire for unchecked power.

2. Lack of a Democratic Roadmap for Venezuela

Timestamp: 07:57 – 11:12

• Host Analysis

  • The hosts observe that Trump’s focus isn’t on promoting democracy in Venezuela, as he ignored opposition leaders and favored regime insiders open to U.S. interests.
  • Notably, Trump elevates those loyal to Maduro who signal willingness to deliver oil, regardless of their repression or lack of public support.

• Schiff's Critique

  • “They didn’t even make any pretense that this was about restoring the rightful government... this was only about the oil.” — Senator Schiff [09:11]
  • The U.S. administration is “relying on the same corrupt regime, just a different corrupt actor,” trading democracy for resource access.
  • Schiff predicts America risks being pulled into an untenable, long-term occupation involving both security and economic costs: “We can just see us getting mired down in Venezuela... boots on the ground.” — Senator Schiff [10:11]

• Public Sentiment & Political Reality

  • There is rare agreement among Democratic and Trump’s MAGA bases in opposing another “endless war” and especially one centered on oil interests.

3. Legal & Strategic Failures of Trump’s Approach

Timestamp: 11:12 – 14:27

• Legal Complications

  • The hosts and Schiff examine the potential legal fiasco if Venezuelan officials claim “head of state immunity” due to U.S. recognition flip-flops and intervention.

• Oil Industry and Fiscal Concerns

  • It’s unclear who will even operate the oil fields amid instability, with oil companies requiring massive subsidies: “Now the taxpayers are going to subsidize this... it just is not. There doesn't seem to be any thought... he's winging it like a student who just read the homework.” — Host [12:05]

• Shifting Rationales

  • Trump's administration moves from labeling the intervention as “law enforcement” to openly discussing “running Venezuela for years,” further muddying justification.
  • “For a president who dissembles all the time... he's nevertheless been transparent about one thing... he has talked about oil.” — Senator Schiff [13:36]
  • The risk of repeating Iraq-style mistakes is acute, with U.S. lives and money at stake for unclear strategic goals.

4. ICE, Minneapolis, and Political Violence

Timestamp: 14:27 – 16:54

• Recent Tragedy in Minneapolis

  • The hosts ask Schiff to comment on the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents.
  • J.D. Vance’s press conference labels her a “domestic terrorist,” a narrative Schiff strongly condemns.

• Militarization of Law Enforcement

  • Schiff decries how expanded ICE presence and tactics lead to escalation and tragedy: “...the administration's deployment of ICE... is endangering our communities. They want the provocation.” — Senator Schiff [15:36]
  • He urges Minnesota’s active involvement in the investigation, citing a lack of trust in federal oversight: “You certainly cannot trust Kristi Noem or anything she says or does... Minnesota needs to have its own role in that investigation.” — Senator Schiff [16:25]

5. Epstein Files and DOJ Transparency

Timestamp: 16:54 – 18:19

• Hosts’ Questions on Document Stonewalling

  • Discussion turns to the DOJ’s slow-walking of releasing Epstein-related files, despite Congressional transparency mandates.
  • The hosts are incredulous at overbroad claims of document volume and DOJ reluctance.

• Schiff’s Perspective

  • “I think what they've decided to do is make sure that they go through whatever materials they have and insulate the President in every way that they can and they will draw this out, and they are drawing it out.” — Senator Schiff [17:32]
  • He criticizes DOJ stonewalling and pledges continued oversight: “We're just going to keep forcing this issue... the victims deserve nothing less. And the law requires it.” [18:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On War Powers and Oil:

  • “This is about oil. This is about seizing the oil reserves of a country that has some of the largest, if not the largest, oil reserve in the world.” — Senator Schiff [05:49]

• On Bipartisan Congressional Pushback:

  • “We're seeing an increasing number of Republicans... willing to depart from the President because... they're responding to the concerns over another endless war.” — Senator Schiff [07:15]

• On Trump’s Admissions:

  • “For a president who dissembles all the time... he has talked about oil, I think more than two dozen times since this military operation and made it very clear what this is about.” — Senator Schiff [13:36]

• On the Minneapolis ICE Shooting:

  • “What a horrible tragedy... Minnesota needs to have its own role in that investigation... it's the only way that we're going to get a just conclusion and make sure... that there are real consequences.” — Senator Schiff [16:15]

• On DOJ’s Handling of Epstein Files:

  • “They are stonewalling. And we're just going to keep forcing this issue and pressing this issue to make sure the truth comes out. The victims deserve nothing less. And the law requires it.” — Senator Schiff [18:05]

Key Segment Timestamps

• 03:58 – War Powers Resolution context and Trump’s backlash
• 05:49 – Schiff on origins, motives, and why oil is the real driver
• 07:57 – Host and Schiff discuss democracy pretense and Venezuela’s opposition
• 09:11 – Schiff on the regime swap and U.S. interests
• 11:12 – Legal accountability and oil company implications
• 12:21 – Schiff on shifting justifications, future risks
• 14:27 – Minneapolis ICE shooting analysis
• 16:54 – DOJ’s Epstein files delay and cover-up concerns
• 18:19 – Episode close

Tone & Summary Style

The episode blends pointed legal and policy analysis (driven by Schiff and Ben Meiselas) with the Meidas brothers’ signature banter and unvarnished progressive critique. They highlight Trump’s opportunism, Congressional resistance, and rising public war fatigue, keeping the dialogue both serious in substance and lively in delivery. Schiff’s expertise brings gravitas, but he matches the hosts’ direct and critical language throughout. The episode is highly relevant for those following U.S. foreign policy, Congressional oversight, and the battle for democratic norms amidst shifting party loyalties.