The Brian Lehrer Show Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on Venezuela, January 6th Anniversary and More
Jan 6, 2026
Senator Andy Kim, a former State Department official from New Jersey, dives into pressing issues like the Trump administration’s controversial military actions in Venezuela, arguing they primarily serve corporate oil interests. He urges voters to remain engaged in democracy post-January 6, emphasizing its fragility. Kim also shares a personal touch, discussing his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis and pushing for Medicare reforms to support caregivers. His insights blend urgent political analysis with heartfelt advocacy for families.
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Military Action Framed As Political Power Play
- Andy Kim calls the Venezuela operation a pretext, not law enforcement, citing carrier strike groups and submarines used.
- He describes it as an "extortion foreign policy" serving political and corporate backers rather than national security.
Policy Serving Donors, Not People
- Kim argues Trump’s foreign moves reward billionaire backers and corporate donors from his inauguration circle.
- He links the Venezuela action to patronage benefiting oil and gas executives who supported the campaign.
'Protecting Oil' Rationalization Is Dangerous
- Kim rejects Rubio's claim that protecting Venezuelan oil from rivals justifies intervention.
- He warns this logic would normalize neo-imperialism and misuse U.S. military to protect fossil-fuel interests.