David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
@drdrbrockman.bsky.social
📤 12155
📥 1452
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pinned post!
Welcome new Bluesky friends! I study and write about religion and politics, especially
#ChristianNationalism
. If you'd like to check out some of my work, here's a place to start:
www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/david...
about 1 year ago
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Scott MacFarlane
about 1 hour ago
There is a lot of pushback from Jan 6 police and staff victims --- about this. The White House posted misleading -- if not downright false -- statements about Jan 6 on an official government website ... on the taxpayers' dime
add a skeleton here at some point
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
NBC News
about 1 hour ago
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws that include the country’s first explicit ban on abortion pills, ruling that they violate the state constitution.
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Abortion stays legal in Wyoming as its top court strikes down laws, including first U.S. pill ban
The justices sided with the state’s only abortion clinic and others who sued over the bans passed since 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
https://nbcnews.to/4qdh9pU
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"It's not believable"
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about 5 hours ago
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Greg Sargent
about 5 hours ago
"Trump's need to lash out is a sign of weakness. It’s something desperate people do. It’s something abusers do. It’s not actually something that strong people do." On the pod
@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social
is fantastic on Trump's hollow fantasy of national "strength":
newrepublic.com/article/2049...
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Trump Explodes at Media Over Tariff Fiasco as Poll Delivers Harsh News
As Trump rages at the press over coverage of his tariffs while threatening new military actions, an international affairs expert explains the core fallacy at play: Trump’s bluster displays weakness, n...
https://newrepublic.com/article/204953/trump-explodes-media-tariff-fiasco-poll-delivers-harsh-news
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Anne Applebaum
about 5 hours ago
Is this what Trump meant when he said we are "running" Venezuela?
add a skeleton here at some point
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Aaron Rupar
about 5 hours ago
Scarborough on what Trump told him during a phone call yesterday: "Joe, the the difference between Iraq and this is that Bush didn't keep the oil. We're going to keep the oil. To underline his point, Trump said his comments were no long on background."
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Aaron Rupar
about 6 hours ago
Trump: "California is more corrupt than Minnesota. And I won Minnesota." (Trump has lost Minnesota three times.)
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Aaron Rupar
about 6 hours ago
Trump floats the idea of canceling future elections
add a skeleton here at some point
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
NBC News
about 8 hours ago
Texas Republicans in two counties who were pushing to count ballots by hand in their March primaries are abandoning their plans, citing logistical concerns.
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Republicans in two Texas counties ditch plans to hand-count ballots
Party leaders in Dallas and the Hays County GOP cited a series of logistical and legal concerns in their pursuit of the controversial voting method ahead of Texas' March primary.
https://nbcnews.to/3N01JXv
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Timothy McBride
about 8 hours ago
Republicans in two Texas counties ditch plans to hand-count ballots
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
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Republicans in two Texas counties ditch plans to hand-count ballots
Party leaders in Dallas and the Hays County GOP cited a series of logistical and legal concerns in their pursuit of the controversial voting method ahead of Texas' March primary.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/republicans-two-texas-counties-ditch-plans-hand-count-ballots-rcna252388?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=695d135667f99d000186a35f&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Timothy Noah
about 8 hours ago
The colonial power present at the creation of Venezuela’s oil industry was Britain, not the U.S., and the U.S. companies that swept in later never owned land. Venezuela nationalized oil not once but twice, with Republicans in the White House both times. My latest.
newrepublic.com/article/2049...
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Taking Venezuela’s Oil Won’t Come Cheap
If you remember the second Iraq War, you know how this story ends.
https://newrepublic.com/article/204962/taking-venezuela-oil-trump-economy
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Peter Baker
about 7 hours ago
Five years ago today, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, assaulting police officers, calling for Mike Pence to be hanged and hunting for Nancy Pelosi as they tried to reverse a presidential election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
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Trump Administration Live Updates: U.S. Marks Fifth Anniversary of Jan. 6 Attack
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/06/us/trump-news?smid=nytcore-ios-share
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Sahil Kapur
about 7 hours ago
Shocking news: Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., has died.
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Scott Braddock
about 7 hours ago
The top Texas House GOP primaries we're covering at Quorum Report
bit.ly/4jhCMTf
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Quorum Report: Heading into 2026, Texas House GOP primaries take shape with tort reform proxy battles on the horizon and lingering resentment from the impeachment
Yes there is still some hangover from the impeachment of AG Paxton who blamed TLR for his persecution while some GOP candidates elected in Abbotts scorched
https://bit.ly/4jhCMTf
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Aaron Rupar
1 day ago
MacCALLUM: You have about 100,000 dying from drug overdoses, most of those drugs from from Venezuela and other places CROW: That's actually not true. The majority of the deaths by drugs in America are the result of meth and fentanyl. Almost none of that comes from Venezuela
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The New York Times
1 day ago
President Trump reiterated on Sunday that he wants to take over Greenland, prompting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark to urge him to “stop the threats” to annex the semiautonomous Danish territory.
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Why Trump Wants Greenland
President Trump has reiterated his interest in annexing Denmark’s semiautonomous territory, saying it is vital for America’s national security.
https://nyti.ms/49BGa8h
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Atlantic
1 day ago
“Far from making us more powerful, the pursuit of American dominance will make us weaker, eventually leaving us with no sphere, and no influence, at all,”
@anneapplebaum.bsky.social
argues:
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Trump’s ‘American Dominance’ May Leave Us With Nothing
The president’s moves in Venezuela foretell a new global system.
https://bit.ly/4pkHbGn
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Josh Gerstein
1 day ago
JUST IN: 9th Circuit denies en banc review of judge's order that Trump admin hand over agency firing/RIF plans. 5 judges dissent: Bumatay, R. Nelson, VanDyke, Tung (all Trump) & Callahan (GWBush). Opn:
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
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https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/01/05/25-4476.pdf
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Brad Heath
1 day ago
One in three Americans approve of the U.S. military strike on Venezuela that toppled the country's president and 72% worry the U.S. will become too involved in the South American country, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded on Monday.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Texas Observer
1 day ago
Out today from
@gusbova.bsky.social
: Highlights of our newest issue include criminal justice reporting from
@michellepitcher.bsky.social
, exploring Houston culture with
@josephinelee.bsky.social
, the war over homelessness policy with
@stevanzetti.bsky.social
, and much more.
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Editor's Letter: Introducing Our January/February 2026 Issue
A note from the editor-in-chief
https://www.texasobserver.org/editors-letter-january-february-2026/
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Ryan Goodman
1 day ago
"One in three Americans approve of the U.S. military strike on Venezuela that toppled the country's president and 72% worry the U.S. will become too involved in the South American country, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll."
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
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Only 33% of Americans approve of US strike on Venezuela, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
The two-day poll showed 65% of Republicans back the military operation that toppled the country's president and 72% worry the U.S. will become too involved in the country.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/only-33-americans-approve-us-strike-venezuela-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2026-01-05/
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Eleanor and I biked 6 miles this morning at scenic River Legacy Park in Arlington. Child's play for experienced cyclists, but not too shabby for a couple of olds
1 day ago
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Timothy McBride
2 days ago
Pretty horrific "Police operation" Death toll rises to 80 as US invasion of Venezuela sparks global tension
www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/deat...
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Death toll rises to 80 as US invasion of Venezuela sparks global tension
The death toll from Saturday’s United States invasion of Venezuela has risen to at least 80, according to a report by The New York Times.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/death-toll-rises-to-80-as-us-invasion-of-venezuela-sparks-global-tension/
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Washington Post
2 days ago
Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” with developments in Venezuela, calling for guarantees of the country’s “sovereignty” and to ensure the rule of law and respect for Venezuelans’ human and civil rights. Follow more live updates here:
https://wapo.st/3LjfJLl
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
André Gagné 🇨🇦
2 days ago
1/ New Global stats for 2026 just dropped: Pentecostals/Charismatics are currently 676 million globally. Over the next 50 years, their projected growth will be nearly double, reaching 1.1 billion in 2075.
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The New York Times
2 days ago
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday sidestepped questions on whether the U.S. would run Venezuela, appearing to pivot away from President Trump’s assertion a day earlier. Rubio emphasized instead that the administration would keep a military “quarantine” on oil exports.
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Rubio Stresses U.S. Plan to Coerce Venezuela Rather Than Govern It
The secretary of state said that a military “quarantine” on some oil exports would stay in place to put pressure on the country’s acting leadership.
https://nyti.ms/4jJmKlz
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The New Republic
2 days ago
Trump also told Fox that a “second wave” of strikes could take place in Venezuela and warned Maduro’s supporters will have a “bad future” if they stay loyal to him.
trib.al/9nxoD6G
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After Venezuela Attack, Trump Says Something Must Be Done About Mexico
Donald Trump is hinting at a military conflict with Mexico next.
https://trib.al/9nxoD6G
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Atlantic
2 days ago
EXCLUSIVE: In an interview with Michael Scherer, Donald Trump threatened Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, with a fate worse than Maduro’s; defended regime change in the country; and expressed renewed interest in the U.S. seizing Greenland.
theatln.tc/UMxts5sR
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Associated Press
2 days ago
BREAKING: The U.S. won’t govern Venezuela, but will press changes through an oil blockade, Rubio says, after Trump claims of running the country.
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Venezuela live updates: Uncertainty and legal questions remain after US captures Maduro
The Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and claims that it will “run” the country are raising stark new questions about the legality of the U.S. actions and its future operations in the South American nation.
https://bit.ly/4pjf2PZ
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Timothy McBride
2 days ago
Venezuelan Official Says at Least 40 People Were Killed in U.S. Attack
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
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Venezuelan Official Says at Least 40 People Were Killed in U.S. Attack
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/world/americas/venezuela-airstrike-civilian-deaths.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawPHjulleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNSG82QW5xV1JKeEFUWDJWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnV8EgkqruZvnZb4CtmaJqQPo__CdHkGAb-kUqNkYmlyBoPdkQD5i5daKy0T_aem_If_-SGp62JEwSZ3hUSFPIg
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Timothy McBride
2 days ago
As of tomorrow, when Rep. Greene leaves the House, Speaker Johnson's problem gets worse, with a 218-213 margin. He can only afford to lose TWO votes from the GOP on any vote assuming Dems vote no (and remember that a tie means the vote fails): 218-213 would become 215-216 if he loses three votes.
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Harry Litman
2 days ago
All of this has a “Mission Accomplished” feel, and like that precedent, will be seen and evaluated through the prism of what happens over the next few months, not this weekend’s moment of self proclaimed triumphalism.
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Ryan Goodman
2 days ago
"I asked him whether the attack on Venezuela could indicate a willingness to take military action to seize control of Greenland .... Trump said, 'I really don’t know. ... I wasn’t referring to Greenland at that time. But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.'”
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Trump Threatens Venezuela’s New Leader With a Fate Worse Than Maduro’s
The president told The Atlantic that Delcy Rodríguez needs to comply with U.S. wishes—or else.
https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/01/trump-venezuela-maduro-delcy-rodriguez/685497/
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Philip Bump
2 days ago
Trump has golfed on 16 of the past 50 days; he's been at Mar-a-Lago for all or part of almost half of those days.
www.pbump.net/o/an-officia...
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An official accounting of Trump’s golf and customer service time
It remains the case that President Trump doesn't particularly seem to like the White House. During his first time in office, there was reporting to this effect; in 2017, he allegedly told members of h...
https://www.pbump.net/o/an-official-accounting-of-trumps-golf-and-customer-service-time/
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Timothy McBride
2 days ago
'Sick and tired.' MTG calls Venezuela strike betrayal of MAGA
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
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'Sick and tired.' MTG calls Venezuela strike betrayal of MAGA
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's comments reflect a growing chasm in Congress over the president’s actions in Venezuela.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/04/mtg-trump-venezuela-strike-america-first/88017718007/
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Atlantic
2 days ago
EXCLUSIVE: In an interview with Michael Scherer, Donald Trump threatened Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, with a fate worse than Maduro’s; defended regime change in the country; and expressed renewed interest in the U.S. seizing Greenland.
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Trump: Delcy Rodríguez Might Be Next
The president told The Atlantic that the interim Venezuelan president will meet a fate worse than Maduro’s unless she complies with U.S. wishes.
https://bit.ly/45A2f4A
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Scott MacFarlane
2 days ago
Dan Bongino has departed FBI, per statement
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Catherine Rampell
2 days ago
I often get asked why markets aren’t more freaked out by Trumpism. Here are a few theories, including: are you sure they *aren’t*?
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
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Trump Says We Have the “Hottest” Economy. Markets Tell a Different Story.
The U.S. economy entered 2025 as the “envy of the world.” It exited well behind its peers.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/trump-says-we-have-the-hottest-economy-markets-tell-different-story?r=2f52&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Brian Stelter
3 days ago
Rep. Seth Moulton comes on CNN and starts by saying: "Is anyone going to just stop for a second and be honest? This is insane. What the hell are we doing? We've got a lot of problems in America today, and invading / occupying / running Venezuela does not solve any of them."
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Annika Brockschmidt
3 days ago
Why should Trump stop at Venezuela? They’re champing at the bit for territorial expansion. Katie Miller, Stephen Miller‘s wife, posted a map of Greenland marked as a US territory with the words „SOON“.
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Washington Post
3 days ago
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have landed New York. A uniformed FBI agent as well as several individuals with DEA, FBI and HSI uniforms were seen near the aircraft carrying the couple.
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Live updates: Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela, won’t rule out U.S. boots on the ground
President Donald Trump said the United States will control Venezuela for an unspecified period after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/03/us-venezuela-strikes-trump-maduro/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The New Republic
3 days ago
Political scientist Julia Azari argues that Trump, like Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon before him, became president in part because of white backlash against the pro-Black accomplishments of his predecessor.
trib.al/t9LZIHN
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America Is Still Living in the Backlash to Obama’s Presidency
Political scientist Julia Azari argues that Trump, like Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon before him, became president in part because of white backlash against the pro-Black accomplishments of his predecessor.
https://trib.al/t9LZIHN
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
The Washington Post
3 days ago
The United States plans to administer Venezuela for an extended period of time as it rebuilds the country’s oil industry, President Donald Trump said Saturday, holding open the door to an extended occupation of a nearby nation. 🧵 Here’s the latest:
wapo.st/3NsHBx5
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Sahil Kapur
3 days ago
NEW: Some lawmakers criticize Trump's attack in Venezuela, fearing a costly new war Republican leaders are rallying around Trump's move. But he faces pushback from Democrats and several Rs about its legality and wisdom.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
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Some lawmakers criticize Trump's attack in Venezuela, fearing a costly new war
While Republican leaders rallied around Trump's military action, he faced pushback from Democrats and several GOP lawmakers about the legality and wisdom of the move.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/lawmakers-criticize-trumps-attack-venezuela-questioning-legality-impac-rcna252053
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Eric Lipton NYT
3 days ago
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, in an address to the nation, “the masks had fallen off, revealing only one objective: regime change in Venezuela. This regime change would also allow for the seizure of our energy, mineral, and natural resources."
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Update from Jack Nicas
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela/9cb18fca-bac9-5933-b0bb-9a94fec35fce
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Aaron Rupar
3 days ago
Trump: "It's gonna make a lot of money"
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Acyn
3 days ago
Trump on Colombia’s President: He has factories where he makes cocaine. He does have to watch his ass.
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Timothy McBride
3 days ago
Various polls all lead to same conclusion. Americans oppose intervention in Venezuela.
add a skeleton here at some point
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David R. Brockman, Ph.D.
Aaron Rupar
3 days ago
Q: China, Russia, and Iran have interests in Venezuela. How does this operation affect your relationships with them? TRUMP: In terms of other countries that want oil, we're in the oil business. We're gonna sell it to them. We'll be selling oil.
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CNN
3 days ago
President Donald Trump said that the US is "going to run" Venezuela in the immediate aftermath of President Nicolás Maduro's capture. Trump did not offer a timeline for how long he anticipated such a transition of power would take. Follow live updates:
cnn.it/44QDLnE
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