Since the first strikes on Venezuelan boats, there has been more than "concern" that these strikes are illegal. They seem pretty clearly to be outside international law. Recently, we have reporting that Pete Hegseth gave a "no quarters" order to kill the survivors of the initial strike. This is a black-and-white war crime. Simultaneously, we have Trump threatening to launch airstrikes on Venezuela without Congressional approval.
The bloodthirsty drive to kill brown people is Trumpian enough, but the real cherry on top of the Sundae Bloody Sundae is that Trump is going to pardon a guy who was definitely in bed with cartels. The Times, being The Times, writes that this seems to be a contradiction in Trump's "strategy."
The "strategy" in Venezuela is not about drugs. Venezuela is not a major source of drugs in this country. The pardon of Hernandez demonstrates that Trump doesn't give a fuck about drugs. Hell, his indifference to cocaine trafficking might be the first sign that he really loves Don, Jr.
Venezuela has oil. Maduro is an admittedly bad guy, and it would be better if he were not in charge of that country. However, forcing him to leave under threat of imminent violence is pretty sketchy. Pressuring him to abdicate by killing Venezuelans on the high seas and then machine gunning the survivors is criminal. Still, if your desire is to return the ancien regime to Venezuela - the sort of corrupt oligarchs that used to keep the oil flowing while the people starved - then this isn't an illogical way to go about it.
It's just illegal.
And again, Trump being Trump, there is a very good chance that Venezuelan exiles and other forces are paying for Trump's services either upfront or with future deals once they are returned to power. The stupid part is that Trump might force Maduro from power and then a true democratic president might assume power and shut out those oligarchs, so Trump and Hegseth will have to put boots on the ground in order to get the outcome they are hoping for. The idea is simply to kill a few dozen people, threaten Maduro with military action, have him leave and then profit. I doubt it will be that linear.
Will Congress rise from the floor and stop these criminal acts? There is quote that Richardson highlights is from a "senior Republican":
“This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all—appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They don’t even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms.
“More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.”
Of course, this quote is anonymous, because they are pissed but still scared.
Hegseth is a criminal. (OK, alleged criminal.) Trump will undoubtedly pardon him. A future Democratic president will have to expedite him to face justice overseas where the corrupted pardon power holds no sway. Pete Hegseth needs to become Pete Hague-seth.
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