Bloomberg Surveillance Instant Reaction: Trump Says US to ‘Run Venezuela’ in Interim After Maduro
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Jan 3, 2026 
U.S. Representative Brad Schneider talks about the urgent need for congressional oversight regarding Trump's declaration to run Venezuela, emphasizing legal concerns. Justin Logan from the Cato Institute critiques the administration's shifting narratives around military action. They'll explore the implications of U.S. control over Venezuela's resources and question the coherence of the current strategy. The discussion also touches on the risks of political positioning and the future of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
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U.S. Declares It Will Run Venezuela
- President Trump announced the U.S. will 'run' Venezuela until a transition is organized, framing direct administration as temporary governance.
- That public commitment shifts U.S. policy from strikes to de facto occupation and raises complex governance questions.
Brief Congress And Show Legal Authority
- Brad Schneider urged the administration to brief Congress and justify legal authority for the attack in a classified setting.
- He insisted Congress must reclaim its constitutional war powers and demand a clear legal rationale before further action.
Rationale For Action Feels Inconsistent
- Justin Logan highlighted weak public rationales linking Venezuela to U.S. overdose deaths and inconsistent claims about drugs and boats.
- He noted the policy mixes law-enforcement and military rationales, producing an unclear strategic narrative.