The President's Daily Brief

Episode: Trump’s Endgame in Venezuela: Forcing Out China, Russia, and Iran & Iranian Protesters Make A Dramatic Plea
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Produced by: The First TV

Overview

In this episode, host Mike Baker delivers a concise intelligence-style update on evolving U.S. foreign policy priorities under the Trump administration. The episode primarily covers the Trump administration’s post-Maduro strategy for Venezuela and the broader effort to expel Chinese, Russian, Cuban, and Iranian influence from the region. It also explores dramatic new protest dynamics in Iran, touches on developments in Ukraine peace talks, and reveals that the Trump White House is once again considering acquiring Greenland.

Main Discussion Segments

1. Trump Administration’s Endgame in Venezuela

[00:12–07:59]

Key Points

• Sharper Focus on Policy:
  The U.S. is now moving decisively in shaping Venezuela’s post-Maduro transition, with a clear objective: purge the country of rival great power influences—notably China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba—and tie Venezuela’s future tightly to the United States.

• Security and Intelligence Purge:

  • Washington is pressing Venezuela’s interim government to “remove suspected intelligence officers, security advisors and other non-diplomatic operatives tied to China, Russia, Iran and Cuba.”
  • The effort specifically aims at those “deeply embedded inside Venezuela during the Maduro years,” focusing on intelligence and military networks that have given these countries leverage in the region.
  • “[Venezuela's] security institutions were deeply intertwined with foreign personnel, particularly Cuban officers... long before Maduro's ouster.” (Baker, [02:46])

• Operation Against Maduro:

  • During the operation to remove Maduro, 32 Cuban security operatives were reportedly killed—highlighting just how deeply Cuba was embedded.
  • The U.S. campaign targets non-diplomatic foreign personnel while emphasizing a complex, deeply interlinked foreign security presence.

• Economic Leverage—Oil Conditionality:

  • The administration is “tying Venezuela’s economic recovery, specifically its oil industry, to those same conditions.”
  • Future oil production and access to U.S. markets "will depend on Caracas severing energy ties with China and Russia and partnering exclusively with the U.S. and U.S. firms.”
  • Venezuela’s past oil exports secured critical relationships with Beijing and Moscow through trade, financing, and infrastructure projects—a strategic structure the U.S. now seeks to unravel.
  • “By conditioning oil production on alignment with Washington, the U.S. is signaling that Venezuela's reintegration into global energy markets will come with geopolitical strings attached.” ([04:29])

• Strategic Shift in U.S. Policy:

  • The approach combines security and economic incentives—instead of relying solely on sanctions or isolation.
  • Venezuela is seen not merely as a post-coup question but as a “test case in great power competition inside the Western Hemisphere.”
  • “This is all about shaping the future of Venezuela by reducing rival power presences, reasserting U.S. influence, and using security and energy leverage to lock in a strategic realignment.” ([06:23])

• Steps to Watch:

  • Will Venezuela’s interim authorities actually purge foreign intelligence and security personnel?
  • Will we see shifts in oil exports or new U.S. company involvement?
  • Watch for actual changes in country actions, not just official statements.

Notable Quotes

• “The Trump administration's ultimate goal in Venezuela is coming into sharper focus today—and, of course, it goes well beyond the removal of Nicolas Maduro.” (Baker, [00:42])
• “Venezuela is not just a post-Maduro transition problem, it's a test case in great power competition inside the Western Hemisphere.” (Baker, [05:42])
• “The takeaway here is relatively straightforward... This is all about shaping the future of Venezuela by reducing rival power presences, reasserting U.S. influence, and using security and energy leverage to lock in a strategic realignment.” (Baker, [06:23])

2. Iranian Protesters Issue a Dramatic Plea to Trump and the World

[08:57–13:37]

Key Points

• Escalating Unrest:

  • As anti-regime protests intensify in Iran, demonstrators are openly appealing to President Trump.
  • Viral footage shows a protester in Tehran renaming a street after Trump and posting signs with his name; other messages directed to Trump read “Don’t let them kill us.”
  • “Clearly, this isn’t subtle messaging—it’s a protest movement deliberately reaching beyond their country’s borders and addressing a foreign leader...” (Baker, [09:28])

• Trump’s Warning:

  • President Trump recently warned the regime via Truth Social, threatening U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters are killed.
  • “His comments have circulated rapidly inside Iran and more footage has emerged of protesters invoking President Trump's name directly.” (Baker, [09:51])

• Regime Crackdown & Protest Evolution:

  • Authorities have deployed armed units and used tear gas across major public spaces including hospitals and bazaars.
  • Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi claims this wave of protest is “a rare opening to dismantle the Islamic Republic.”
  • Pahlavi points out that the traditional merchant class is now involved—a sign of a potential “cultural turning point.”

• Scale and Consequences:

  • Protests have spread to over 300 locations in 28 of Iran’s 31 provinces.
  • Slogans include “Death Khamenei” and calls for security forces to “return to the side of the nation.”
  • Reports indicate at least 36 people killed and over 2,100 arrested as the unrest enters its 12th day.
  • Iran’s military leaders are issuing warnings rather than concessions, with threats of “preemptive action” against perceived outside meddling—including Trump’s remarks.

Notable Quotes

• “As an example, one protester in Tehran can be seen renaming a street after Trump, placing signs and stickers over existing street posts. Other videos... read: ‘don’t let them kill us.’” (Baker, [09:13])
• “Speaking on Fox News, [Reza] Pahlavi described the moment as a rare opening to dismantle the Islamic Republic, arguing that the scale and persistence of demonstrations point to a regime facing a deeper legitimacy crisis.” (Baker, [10:38])

3. Ukraine Peace Talks – Concrete Progress on Security Guarantees

[13:38–16:47]

Key Points

• Progress in Paris:

  • Ukrainian officials express cautious optimism after two days of security talks with U.S. and European allies.
  • Focus: Creating binding Western security guarantees post-war—even as core questions over territorial integrity remain unresolved.

• Key Developments:

  • U.S. “formally backed a broad coalition... pledging binding security guarantees in the event of another Russian attack.”
  • White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law) attended the talks, indicating active U.S. engagement.

• Security Architecture:

  • Witkoff: “President Trump strongly stands behind the emerging security protocols, describing them as a deterrent and a defensive backstop.” ([15:53])
  • Allies nearly finished agreeing on “core security architecture.”
  • British and French leaders state willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine for a post-war stabilization mission if a cease-fire is achieved.

• NATO Role & Monitoring:

  • U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring could employ drones, sensors, and satellites—avoiding direct U.S. troop deployments on the ground.
  • Moscow is not participating or signaling any acceptance of these frameworks.

• Ukrainian Position:

  • President Zelensky remains firm—no territorial concessions regarding the Donbas.
  • “When Zelensky talks about territory, he’s of course, referring to the Donbas…That position hasn’t shifted.” ([15:01])

4. "Back of the Brief": The Trump White House Renews Interest in Buying Greenland

[16:48–20:59]

Key Points

• White House Discussions:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms that President Trump wants to “purchase Greenland—not invade it.”
  • Trump has instructed aides to update plans for potential acquisition.

• Strategic Motivations:

  • Greenland is seen as vital due to its location, increased shipping access, and critical mineral potential, fitting Trump’s “U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere” strategy.
  • Rising Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic is cited as justification.

• International Response:

  • NATO allies and Denmark issue a joint statement supporting Greenland’s sovereignty and emphasizing Arctic security should be managed through NATO.
  • The White House has not ruled out any options, and military force remains theoretically on the table, though discussion is at a preliminary stage.

• Current U.S. Presence:

  • The U.S. already has a military base in Greenland vital for missile warning and Arctic operations.

Notable Quotes

• “Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells U.S. lawmakers that President Trump wants to buy Greenland, not invade it. There’s no word on whether President Trump is looking for a 15 or 30 year fixed rate or if he intends to be a cash buyer...” (Baker, [17:00])
• “Greenland... is once again being discussed at the highest levels—underscoring just how central the region has become to U.S. strategic planning.” ([20:36])

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Venezuela:
  “Venezuela is not just a post-Maduro transition problem, it’s a test case in great power competition inside the Western Hemisphere.” (Baker, [05:42])

• On Iran Protests:
  “Other videos posted on social media show handwritten messages to Trump and the world that are even more direct, reading: ‘don’t let them kill us.’ Clearly this isn’t subtle messaging.” (Baker, [09:13])

• On Ukraine Security Guarantees:
  “President Trump strongly stands behind the emerging security protocols, describing them as a deterrent and a defensive backstop.” (Witkoff, [15:53])

• On Greenland:
  “Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells US lawmakers that President Trump wants to buy Greenland, not invade it.” (Baker, [17:00])

Segment Timestamps

• Trump’s Venezuela Strategy: [00:12–07:59]
• Iranian Protests & Trump’s Role: [08:57–13:37]
• Ukraine Peace Talks Update: [13:38–16:47]
• Greenland Back on the Agenda: [16:48–20:59]

Conclusion

This episode outlines an assertive, multi-front foreign policy agenda by the Trump administration focused on:

• Reasserting U.S. influence in Venezuela by forcing out rival powers,
• Responding to dramatic overtures and unrest in Iran,
• Progressing Western-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, and
• Renewing ambitions to control strategic Arctic territory via Greenland.

The President’s Daily Brief delivers the intelligence and policy context behind these moves, equipping listeners to interpret emerging global headlines with insider comprehension.