The Tyrant's Tantrum

"A tyrant is a cruel, oppressive ruler who exercises absolute power unjustly, often seizing it unconstitutionally . . ." (Wikipedia)

Trump’s actions in Venezuela are a repeat of President Putin’s war in Ukraine. He has now announced that the US will take charge of Venezuela’s oil. If the International Criminal Court fails to assess the seriousness of this crime and issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Trump, it is not upholding the mission set out by the Rome Statute.

Understanding the U.S. military operation in Venezuela is challenging because of the exposed falsehoods and endless lies. The president lacked legal authority, and Congress did not approve the attack. The Brennan Center for Justice, published an analysis of this military action called “Attack in Venezuela Was Unconstitutional, and Congress must assert its control of military mattets.” While various parties rush to coordinate their accounts and stories, a bipartisan group in Congress is pursuing a war powers rsolution to reinforce its constitutional authority. Congress should respond to its legally mandated role or will it just roll over again – comparable to our disgraced Supreme Court.

President Bush, a Republican, launched military action against Iraq citing alleged weapons of mass destruction. Congress approved the use of military force in Iraq in 2002 through the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (AUMF), granting President Bush authority to attack Saddam Hussein’s regime. The resolution received strong bipartisan support in both the House (296-133) and Senate (77-23). Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destructions, and President Bush’s objective may have been to gain control over the country’s oil production. The country’s leader was killed in this process. “The Iraq War's cost to the U.S. is estimated to be between $2 trillion and $3 trillion (or more) by 2023-2025, including direct war spending, veterans' care, and broader economic impacts, with future costs for veterans expected to push the total even higher, potentially over $6 trillion.” (Wikipedia) And Americans wonder why our national debt is out of control!!!! THE WAR IN IRAQ WAS A MISTAKE, but how many more mistakes can we afford to make?

More than twenty years has passed, and this situation in Venezuela stands apart: it involved an assault on an independent nation, the capture of its leader, and a declaration to take control of Venezuela and use its oil resources. This notorious and flagrant Trump lie did not get Congressional approval, nor was Congress told of this action until it was over. This act was illegal, unapproved, unethical, and military adventures cost money. How will the Trump’s Venezuela action further weaken our $38.5 trillion dollar natinal debt? Droves of economists, the Federal Reserve Chairman, JPMorgan Chase and endless Wall Street analysts have expressed concern of Trump’s military actions and the fiscal aftermath of “running another country.” Let me remind you - Mr. Trump has declared bankruptcy six times. He was about to declare it a seventh time, when the Russians bailed him out. Six bankruptcies tell us that Trump has no concept of personal or business financial management, never mind balancing a nation’s budget that is about $38 Trillion in the hole!!

Mr. Putin’s involvement should be reviewed. US foreign policy is now showing strong Putin-like characteristics, but the question is how does Trump’s actions relating to Venezuela support Putin’s goals to destroy America? Is it Putin’s intentions to bankrupt the US? Russian commentators have often indicated that, in their perspective, Latin America falls within the United States’ sphere of influence, analogous to how Ukraine has historically been considered within Russia’s sphere. This U.S. attack on Venezuela is no different than Putin’s war on Ukraine and leads one to wonder what country is next on Trump’s list. If President Trump aims to signal to President Putin that he can engage in similar miscalculations, potentially resulting in military conflict/war, or significant financial consequences for the United States. Both outcomes are unaffordable.

If anyone in the U.S. believes that the attack on Venezuela is justified, then they are not rational, which returns us full circle to a dysfunctional Congress and Republicans afraid to vote against Mr. Trump. It also indicates a nationwide misunderstanding of Putin’s intentions toward the U.S.

Congress’s unanimous decision to release the Epstein Files demonstrates effective governance and sends a message to voters. Mr. Trump’s past demonstrates his sexually criminal behavior. He has been convicted in two separate legal cases involving prostitution (Stormy Daniels) and his sexual attack of a women in a department store dressing room (E. Jean Carroll). He is legally labeled a ‘sexual predator.’ There is little doubt that he is also a pedophile and the proof is in the Epstein documents.

There are three direct paths to remove Mr. Trump from office: (1) the Epstein Files – which Trump has already defected via DOJ. Pam Bondi has commited criminal actions to protect her boss. (2) the 2026 election, which may give the Democratic Party a majority in Congress, and (3) an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).