Rep. Arrington backs Trump's action against tankers off Venezuela, links moves to border security
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Asked whether U.S. moves near Venezuela amount to regime change, Rep. Jody Arrington said strengthened U.S. posture is warranted, accused the prior administration of weakness, and described seizing tankers used to finance Maduro as part of countering narcoterrorism and drug flows.
When asked whether recent U.S. action off Venezuela signaled a move toward regime change, Rep. Jody Arrington defended President Trump's posture and tied it to broader national security and border concerns.
"We've been an international laughingstock for the last 4 years," Arrington said, criticizing what he called a feckless foreign policy under President Biden and saying the current administration is addressing "the most imminent threats to the American people, which are the things crossing our southern border, namely drugs that are killing tens of thousands of Americans."
Arrington said the administration should "do whatever it takes" to address the threat, including "blowing up drug boats or seizing these oil tankers that, that, Maduro is using to finance his narcoterrorism." He argued that a firmer posture was appropriate and that many Americans appreciate a tougher approach.
The interview did not include a representative of the Venezuelan government or independent verification of the asserted links between tanker seizures and financing for alleged narcoterrorism; Arrington presented his assessment as his interpretation of recent events and policy priorities.