Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast New Energy, Venezuela and Trump’s Imperial Ambitions with Senator Ruben Gallego
17 snips
Jan 13, 2026 
U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, dives deep into the geopolitics of the recent U.S. invasion of Venezuela and President Trump's oil-centric ambitions. He shares his personal experiences from Iraq, highlighting the risks of regime-change wars. Gallego also discusses his plans for a new energy policy focused on diversifying energy sources and investing in renewables, stressing the importance of phasing out fossil fuels. Moreover, he emphasizes the need for reforming permitting processes to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
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Woke To An Invasion
- Ruben Gallego woke up on vacation in Puerto Rico to news the U.S. had invaded Venezuela and abducted Nicolás Maduro.
- He said the operation felt like a repeat of Iraq-era regime change and left him scared for service members' safety.
Combat Experience Shaped Skepticism
- Ruben Gallego described his 2005 Iraq infantry deployment where his unit faced constant attacks and took heavy casualties.
- He tied that experience to his distrust of leaders who start wars of choice for geopolitical aims like oil.
Smash-And-Grab Politics Undermine Allies
- Gallego argued that the U.S. sounds like a bully when it openly claims it's seizing Venezuelan oil for strategic leverage.
- He warned this posture undermines alliances and pushes partners to counterbalance the U.S., especially versus China.
