The President’s Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Episode Theme:
An in-depth look at President Trump’s order for a naval blockade against US-sanctioned oil tankers in Venezuela and comprehensive coverage of the ISIS-inspired attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney. Host Mike Baker breaks down the geopolitical ramifications and failures in counterterrorism highlighted by these breaking global events.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers succinct yet detailed analysis of two rapidly developing stories shaping global and national security:

• The Trump administration’s escalation of pressure on Venezuela with a targeted naval blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.
• The aftermath and implications of an ISIS-inspired terror attack in Australia, with insight into its planning and intelligence failures.

Baker contextualizes these events in terms of international law, regional stability, national interests, and intelligence community performance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Naval Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers

[00:28 - 06:48]

• Action Announced: President Trump, via Truth Social, declared a “total naval blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers headed to and from Venezuela,” aimed at choking off the Maduro regime’s main revenue source: oil exports.

  “President Trump orders a naval blockade of U.S. sanctioned oil tankers tied to Venezuela... Will have those details later in the show.” – Mike Baker [00:28]

• Specifics of the Blockade:

  • Not a blanket blockade of all Venezuelan shipping—commercial vessels with food, medicine, and non-sanctioned goods are not targeted.
  • The order targets tankers already sanctioned by the US—those accused of helping the Maduro regime evade sanctions and profit illicitly.

  “It’s important to be clear about what this is—and also what it is not… The order applies specifically to oil tankers that have already been sanctioned by the US.” – Mike Baker [01:28]

• Trump’s Justification and Rationale:

  • Trump accuses the Maduro regime of using oil revenue for terrorism, drug trafficking, and human rights abuses.
  • Escalatory language: Trump warns Venezuela is “surrounded by overwhelming American power,” declaring assets must be returned.

  “Venezuela is, quote, surrounded by overwhelming American power, adding that the armada will only get bigger until such time as they return... all of the oil, land and other assets they previously stole from us.” – Quoting President Trump [02:47]

• Naval Presence & Enforcement:

  • US maritime assets are already present in the Caribbean, prepared to monitor, intercept, and potentially seize targeted tankers in international waters.
  • The decision is a shift toward actively enforcing existing sanctions rather than introducing new ones.

  “Rather than relying solely on new sanctions or diplomatic pressure, the administration is moving to physically enforce restrictions already on the books.” – Mike Baker [05:35]

• Economic Impact:

  • Venezuela’s oil trade relies solely on tankers—over 30 already-sanctioned tankers are critical to its operations.
  • Freezing these ships’ activity could have “severe” financial consequences for the Maduro regime.

  “Every barrel that leaves the country does so by tanker. If those tankers can’t move freely or at all, of course, the financial consequences for the Maduro regime could be severe.” – Mike Baker [04:19]

• Legal and Political Ramifications:

  • Critics, including legal authorities and lawmakers, warn the move could be seen as an “act of war” and raise risks under international law, especially lacking Congressional approval.
  • The White House views this as a “calculated gamble”: maximum pressure to force Maduro into concessions or risk collapse.

  “Some... argue that a naval blockade, however limited, edges dangerously close to an act of war under international law, especially without explicit congressional authorization.” – Mike Baker [05:53]

2. ISIS-Inspired Attack at Bondi Beach, Australia

[08:59 - 15:24]

• Incident Overview:

  • At least 15 are dead, over 20 injured after an attack during a Hanukkah celebration—Australia’s “bloodiest anti-Semitic massacre.”

  “Investigators... trying to piece together how a Hanukkah celebration turned into Australia’s bloodiest anti-Semitic massacre.” – Mike Baker [09:07]

• Perpetrators & Charges:

  • Navid Akram, 24, charged with 59 counts including terrorism and 15 murders; recovering from a coma.
  • His father, Sajid Akram (50), was shot dead at the scene. Both are said to have coordinated the act of terror.

  “Sydney Police say 24-year-old Navid Akram now faces 59 charges, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder after waking from a coma... his father... was shot dead by police at the scene.” – Mike Baker [09:32]

• ISIS Link and Planning:

  • Homemade ISIS flags found in their car; attack driven by Islamic State ideology.
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the ideology as one of “hate and willingness to engage in mass murder.”

  “Investigators believe the attack was inspired by Islamic State terror group, pointing to homemade ISIS flags found inside a vehicle...” – Mike Baker [10:08]

• Foreign Connections & Radicalization:

  • Both men traveled to Mindanao, Philippines—a region known for terrorist activity—under the guise of tourism.
  • While Philippine authorities deny definitive evidence of training, Australian authorities consider this a significant lead.

  “Australian authorities say the stated purpose of that trip was tourism... but the timing and the destination... impossible for investigators to ignore.” – Mike Baker [11:01]

• Counterterrorism and Intelligence Failures:

  • Navid Akram had been investigated by Australian intelligence in 2019 due to extremist associations; two associates were later jailed for ISIS activity.
  • Father lawfully owned firearms—all missed by authorities at the time.

  “Navid was examined by the country’s domestic Intelligence Agency in 2019... at the time, Navid was not assessed as an immediate threat and the inquiry was closed.” – Mike Baker [12:00]

• Broader Investigations:

  • Possible intersection with prior intelligence warnings about Iranian-backed terror threats targeting Australian Jews.
  • Forensic reviews continue; only Akram father and son confirmed as direct attackers but further links are under scrutiny.

• Reflection on Failures:

  • Host underscores how “hindsight is a remarkable thing,” highlighting that regulatory and intelligence dots were only connected after tragedy.

  “An individual investigated for connections to ISIS but released because he didn’t seem to pose a ‘quote, immediate threat’... those dots clearly weren’t connected...” – Mike Baker [13:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Blockade:

  “So apparently, if you were still wondering if this might be about oil, well, it seems the President clarified the situation with that post.” – Mike Baker [03:10]

• On Legal Concerns:

  “Some legal experts and lawmakers argue that a naval blockade, however limited, edges dangerously close to an act of war under international law...” – Mike Baker [05:53]

• On Intelligence Failures:

  “The intel and enforcement failures here, well, they seem fairly damning.” – Mike Baker [13:29]

• On Connecting the Dots:

  “Apparently the fact that the son had associates who had been jailed for ISIS related activities and his father owned firearms... clearly weren’t connected by the authorities at any point until after the attack.” – Mike Baker [13:47]

Segment Timestamps

• Naval Blockade Announcement & Analysis: 00:28 – 06:48
• Bondi Beach Attack Updates: 08:59 – 15:24

Tone and Language

Mike Baker’s delivery is brisk, analytical, and laced with dry wit and skepticism, particularly in recounting political clarity ("if you were still wondering if this might be about oil...") and institutional culpability. The mood is urgent yet factual, with reminders of the stakes for US security and global order.

For more updates and listener interaction, reach out at pdb@thefirsttv.com or access the ad-free version at pdbpremium.com. Host signs off:

“Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.” – Mike Baker [15:24]