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President Trump Shuts Down Reporter’s Attempt to Pit Marco Rubio Against J.D. Vance
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President Trump Shuts Down Reporter’s Attempt to Pit Marco Rubio Against J.D. Vance

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President Donald Trump on Sunday evening dismissed a reporter’s attempt to suggest internal division between Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, forcefully stating that both officials play equal roles in his administration, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One as he traveled back to Washington, D.C., after spending the Christmas holiday at Mar-a-Lago in South Florida.

Maxim Elramsisy – Shutterstock.com

The exchange occurred shortly before Air Force One touched down at Joint Base Andrews.

The question came as Rubio had spent the weekend appearing on multiple Sunday news programs, where he discussed U.S. policy following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Rubio said he is “intricately involved” in efforts aimed at moving Venezuela toward a peaceful transfer of power after the U.S. operation that resulted in Maduro’s detention.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, Rubio also issued pointed remarks regarding Cuba’s role in Venezuela.

“In some cases, one of the biggest problems Venezuelans have is they have to declare independence from Cuba,” Rubio said.

“They tried to basically colonize it from a security standpoint. So, yeah, look, if I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned at least a little bit.”

As Trump spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One, one member of the press attempted to frame Rubio’s media presence as evidence of favoritism within the administration.

Marco Rubio Calls Out Kamala Harris Over Hypocrisy After Maduro Arrest Operation
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, speaks in Bedford, New Hampshire, on October 6, 2015.

“What you say that Marco Rubio has your ear more than the Vice President right now?” the reporter asked.

Trump immediately rejected the premise.

“No! They both do. JD is very smart and doing a great job, and so is Marco! I would say they’re equal,” the president responded.

The reporter continued pressing the issue, saying, “It sounds like [Rubio] is the go-to and you were just talking about Cuba and what could come next there.”

Trump did not alter his response or walk back his remarks, maintaining that both senior officials are closely involved in administration policy.

Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday evening, where Trump transferred to Marine One for the return to the White House.

The president’s return followed the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to Maduro’s capture, an event that has dominated political and media discussion in recent days.

Administration officials confirmed that Trump, Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other senior officials are scheduled to be on Capitol Hill on Monday.

The group is expected to brief high-ranking members of congressional committees on developments in Venezuela and the aftermath of the operation.

Footage of Air Force One’s arrival was shared by Fox News, showing the aircraft touching down at Joint Base Andrews as Trump prepared to return to the nation’s capital.

The White House did not indicate that any additional announcements would be made during Monday’s briefings beyond updates related to Venezuela and regional security issues.

‘This Is Trump Taking the War to China’: Chanel Rion Says Venezuela Ops Go Much Deeper
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‘This Is Trump Taking the War to China’: Chanel Rion Says Venezuela Ops Go Much Deeper

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A resurfaced statement from Chanel Rion, accompanied by a video clip showing President Donald Trump responding to a reporter, argues that the U.S. military buildup involving Venezuela is not primarily about drug trafficking or regime change but represents a proxy conflict with China.

“Trump is officially three and O with China. Here’s what nobody’s talking about. China had a heavy investment in Iran. Trump neutered them. China had a heavy investment in Gaza. Trump secured a regional firewall. China straightforwardly controlled Venezuela for two decades. Trump’s moving in and China’s blinking for a third time, and that’s why everyone is asking the wrong questions when it comes to Venezuela,” Rion said.

“The cover story is this, Trump’s military buildup toward Venezuela is about countering Narco terrorism and targeting drug cartels like trend to agua, which are tied to the president Nicolas Maduros regime,” she said.

“But analysts go a step further, and they still miss the mark when they say, Well, this is really about regime change. It’s neither of these things.”

“I mean, yes, we’ve got a drug problem, but it’s actually ties to a much bigger issue,” Rion said.

“Trump’s Venezuela offensive is much bigger. It’s his proxy war against China, and he’s the only president in history who is actually fighting China, where it hurts.”

“As of this week, Trump has positioned over 10,000 US troops and eight warships in the region,” Rion said.

“We have helicopters and Reaper drones taking out Narco boats. We have f 35 and Venezuela has scrambled their jets. And this week, Trump has authorized the CIA to carry out lethal operations in Venezuela.”

“We’ll dive into that one a little deeper in the next segment, all this to ostensibly go after drug boats and fight Narco terrorism,” she said. “Yet everyone is taking this at face value. Listen.”

In the resurfaced video clip, a reporter questioned Trump’s approach.

“Why not have the Coast Guard stop them, which is empowered by law to do?” the reporter asked.

“So Trump answers the question as asked,” Rion said.

“Because we’ve been doing that for 30 years, and it has been totally ineffective,” Trump said.

“Even the ostensibly right leaving leaning National Review gets it wrong by musing that this is all about regime change,” Rion said.

“Here’s why this whole Venezuela offensive is really about China, and this is a shadow war against Beijing, the first in history that looks like it will actually work.”

“You see attacking Maduro is attacking Xi Jinping to think that Maduro is some independent agent, is naive and foolish,” she said. “Why is Venezuela basically China? Well, follow the money. The oil money again.”

“Remember what I said yesterday about why China is likely the biggest force behind the Gaza war and promoting Palestine and Hamas protests around the globe,” Rion said.

“Remember, it’s about taking advantage of bad leadership that sits over cheap oil and cheap resources.”

“China sweeps in, buys out the leadership, gets free gas,” she said.

“Essentially, Venezuela is the poster boy of this predatory China oil game.”

“Beijing is Venezuela’s largest creditor by far,” Rion said.

“Venezuela is over $60 billion in debt to Beijing since 2007 it pays Beijing back in guessed it oil.”

“Venezuela is economically paralyzed by sanctions,” she said.

“The only country supporting Venezuela meaningfully is Beijing, because they’re the primary buyers, this forces Venezuela to sell their oil for next to nothing, meaning they’ll forever be indebted to Beijing.”

“That’s the whole game,” Rion said.

“That’s the way China plays.”

“In May 2025 at the China CELAC forum, Beijing gave Venezuela an additional billion dollars in new oil investments, solidifying Venezuela’s position as the front lines of the US China shadow war,” she said.

“But China’s interests in Venezuela go far beyond cheap oil and economics,” Rion said.

“Chinese companies are neck deep in modernizing Venezuela’s ports and telecom infrastructures, and as in all things related to Chinese companies, you’re a fool to think the Chinese Communist Party does anything without making it a dual military civilian use project.”

“I’ll say it again,” she said.

“China does not allow its companies to operate in the world unless it could also be used for their national security purposes.”

“So don’t be fooled when Trump is using all this force and manpower and CIA expertise in Venezuela,” Rion said.

“This is Trump taking the war to China.”

“He’s doing what no other president before him was even remotely capable of accomplishing,” she said.

“Trump is declaring war on China’s most valuable assets, Iran, Venezuela, Gaza.”

“What do these tin pot dictatorships have in common?” Rion said.

“They’d be nothing without the Chinese Communist Party, and China would be nothing in the geopolitical stage without them.”

“And now Trump is taking them, Iran, Gaza and now Venezuela,” she said.

“Three strikes, you’re out.”

WATCH:

Mamdani’s Tenant Advocate Branded Homeownership ‘White Supremacy,’ Urged Property Seizures
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Mamdani’s Tenant Advocate Branded Homeownership ‘White Supremacy,’ Urged Property Seizures

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly appointed tenant advocate is facing renewed scrutiny after resurfaced social media posts showed her calling to “seize private property,” labeling homeownership a “weapon of white supremacy,” and urging the election of communists, as reported by The New York Post.

Cea Weaver, recently named director of the city’s Office to Protect Tenants, made the statements in a series of posts on X that were later deleted but have circulated widely after being rediscovered by online researchers.

“Seize private property!” Weaver wrote on June 13, 2018.

She expanded on that view in August 2019, posting what critics have described as a manifesto-style message: “Private property, including any kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership, is a weapon of white supremacy.”

Weaver also urged supporters to “Elect more communists” in a December 2017 post tied to the renaming of a Harlem street corner honoring former Manhattan Rep. Vito Marcantonio, who was openly affiliated with communist politics.

Her social media history also includes harsh criticism of law enforcement. In May 2020, amid national unrest following the death of George Floyd, Weaver wrote, “The Police Are Just People The State Sanctions To Murder W[ith] Immunity.”

Weaver is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and previously served as a campaign coordinator for Housing Justice For All.

She also acted as an adviser to Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in 2025. The New York Post previously identified her as part of a group of progressive activists closely involved in shaping Mamdani’s policy agenda.

In 2019, Weaver was a leading advocate pushing the Democratic-controlled New York State Legislature to tighten rent stabilization laws, a move that significantly strengthened tenant protections while drawing criticism from property owners.

Humberto Lopes, founder and CEO of the Gotham Housing Alliance, said the approach taken by Mamdani and Weaver ignores the realities of housing development and maintenance.

“Without landlords, how to do you build and maintain housing? You think the government is going to do it? Look at NYCHA,” Lopes said, referring to the New York City Housing Authority.

“You put a system in place to destroy landlords. Why are you s–tting on us?”

Mamdani has proposed freezing rents on roughly one million rent-regulated apartments across the city, a plan that would require approval from the Rent Guidelines Board.

Neither Mamdani’s office nor Weaver provided immediate comment on the resurfaced posts.

Separately, Mamdani announced Sunday the appointment of Dina Levy as the new commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development, known as HPD.

Levy previously served as senior vice president of single family and community development at the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal.

“Levy is an experienced and fearless housing leader, and I know that she will fight to protect tenants and tackle our housing crisis head-on,” Mamdani said at a press conference in The Bronx.

Mamdani also signed an executive order establishing “Rental Ripoff” hearings across all five boroughs within his first 100 days in office.

The order directs HPD, the Department of Buildings, the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to conduct hearings alongside the new Office of Mass Engagement.

“Too many New Yorkers have been forced to pay more for less — living in unsafe, unconscionable, and unaffordable housing,” Mamdani said. “Under my administration, that ends.

Today’s executive order is the first step towards giving New Yorkers a voice in addressing the housing crisis that is pricing them out of our city.”

Levy said her background as a tenant advocate prepared her for the role. “I do know the work ahead will be hard,” she said.

HPD is responsible for enforcing the city’s housing maintenance code, including safety inspections, housing court cases against landlords, and overseeing emergency repairs.

Marco Rubio Calls Out Kamala Harris Over Hypocrisy After Maduro Arrest Operation
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Marco Rubio Calls Out Kamala Harris Over Hypocrisy After Maduro Arrest Operation

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticized Kamala Harris and other Democrats on Sunday after they denounced the arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, arguing their outrage ignored years of similar rhetoric and policies under Democratic leadership, as reported by The New York Post.

Rubio made the remarks following Harris’s public condemnation of a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a nighttime raid in Venezuela.

Critics, including Rubio, noted that the Biden administration had previously placed a substantial bounty on Maduro’s capture but never followed through with enforcement.

“There had been a $25 million reward for [Maduro’s] capture,” Rubio told NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Sunday.

“So, we have a reward for his capture, but we’re not going to enforce it?” Rubio continued, adding, “That’s the difference between President Trump and everybody else … President Trump did something about it.”

The operation, carried out early Saturday morning, was dubbed Operation Absolute Reserve. U.S. special forces captured Maduro and Flores near Fort Tiuna, a heavily fortified military complex in Caracas.

President Trump said American troops breached the compound’s defenses “in a matter of seconds.”

Harris, the failed 2024 presidential candidate, responded within hours of the announcement, posting on X to criticize the mission.

“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise,” Harris wrote.

“We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.”

She further alleged the operation was motivated by “oil” and “Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman,” rather than national security concerns.

Rubio rejected those claims during multiple Sunday appearances, stating the United States does not need Venezuela’s oil but does have an interest in preventing its vast reserves from falling under the control of hostile foreign powers.

The controversy also revived past Democratic statements on Maduro.

Former President Joe Biden faced renewed scrutiny after a 2020 post resurfaced in which he wrote, “Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro. As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy.”

The debate extended to Capitol Hill. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut criticized the operation during CNN’s “State of the Union,” calling it an “invasion” and accusing President Trump of launching an “illegal war.”

“Listen, Venezuela is not a security threat to the United States,” Murphy told host Dana Bash.

“They’re not threatening to invade us. There is no terrorist group like al Qaeda operating there that has plans to attack the United States.”

Bash then cited a 2019 Washington Post op-ed written by Murphy in which he stated, “There should no longer be any debate about Maduro’s lack of democratic legitimacy … The Trump administration is right to put restoring Venezuelan democracy at the center of our approach to this crisis.”

Murphy responded by saying the article was largely critical of what he described as early “saber-rattling” by the Trump administration.

According to U.S. officials, roughly 150 aircraft participated in Operation Absolute Reserve.

Precision strikes were conducted around Caracas, including at Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, Port La Guaira, Higuerote Airport, and Fuerte Tiuna. The operation lasted just under two and a half hours.

President Trump said no American troops were killed. Venezuelan officials reported at least 40 deaths, including soldiers and civilians. An undisclosed number of U.S. service members were wounded and are expected to recover.

Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were transported to the United States and are being held at the Brooklyn Detention Center, where Maduro is expected to face federal narco-terrorism charges.

Maduro assumed power in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez and declared victory in the 2018 presidential election. Venezuela’s National Assembly declared in 2019 that his presidency was illegitimate.

After Maduro again claimed victory in the July 2024 election, the United States and several other nations refused to recognize him as Venezuela’s lawful leader.

Trump Moves to Cut Off Federal Funding to These Three Deep-Blue States
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Trump Moves to Cut Off Federal Funding to These Three Deep-Blue States

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President Donald Trump said he intends to withhold federal funding from Minnesota, California, and Illinois, citing what he described as failures by state leadership and contrasting those states’ governance with crime reductions he attributed to his administration.

Trump made the remarks while discussing federal payments and state responsibilities, focusing first on Minnesota.

He said the state was not contributing to federal payments and that his administration would no longer cover those costs.

“From Minnesota and from the United States. It’s actually more from the United States, because Minnesota puts it and we’re not going to pay it anymore,” Trump said.

“We’re going to have Walz go pay, we’re not going to pay them.”

Trump then expanded his comments to include California and Illinois, stating that federal funding would also be withheld from those states.

He criticized the leadership of both states and said his administration would no longer provide payments under the current circumstances.

“We’re not going to pay California, and we’re not going to pay Illinois with that big slob of a governor that they have that doesn’t run,” Trump said.

In his remarks, Trump focused heavily on crime statistics, which he said improved due to actions taken by his administration.

He said crime was reduced in Illinois and California while asserting that the governors of those states were not responsible for those changes.

“You know, we brought down crime by 25% he didn’t do anything. He’s not doing anything, but they want us to leave,” Trump said.

Trump referenced a specific incident in Illinois to support his criticism of the state’s leadership, citing a day with a high number of violent crimes.

“He had a he had a day where they had 17 murders. Not too long ago, 17 murders and 77 people shot, but 17 died,” Trump said.

Trump said the Illinois governor claimed the state could manage the situation, but Trump rejected that assertion and said federal involvement was responsible for improvements.

“And then he talks about, oh, we can handle he can’t handle it,” Trump said.

“But we pulled back and we’ll go in at the appropriate time, but we’re the ones that brought the crime down.”

Trump said the crime reduction figures he cited were the result of his administration’s actions rather than state-level leadership. He stated that crime fell by 20% in California and that similar improvements occurred in Illinois.

“We brought it down 20% they didn’t bring it down,” Trump said.

“Pritzker didn’t bring it down. Same thing with Gavin Newsom.”

WATCH:

Kamala Harris Slams Maduro Arrest, Internet Slams Her Back
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Kamala Harris Slams Maduro Arrest, Internet Slams Her Back

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized President Donald Trump on Saturday for ordering the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, calling the operation “unlawful and unwise,” remarks that quickly sparked widespread backlash on social media.

Harris issued her criticism in a lengthy post on X as news continued to emerge about the U.S. military and law enforcement operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest and transfer to the United States to face federal charges.

“Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable,” Harris wrote.

She accused President Trump of misleading the American public and claimed the operation carried significant risks and costs without clear justification.

That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise,” Harris said.

“We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.”

Harris further argued that Americans oppose such actions and suggested the President’s motives were tied to energy interests rather than security or democratic principles.

“The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to,” she wrote.

“This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman.”

In her statement, Harris also accused Trump of undermining opposition figures in Venezuela and acting without proper legal authority.

“If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies,” she wrote.

She concluded by warning that the operation could have long-term consequences.

“The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home,” Harris said.

“America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and — most importantly — putting the American people first.”

Harris’s remarks contrasted sharply with the outcome of the operation itself.

Maduro was captured during an overnight operation in Venezuela without any reported U.S. military casualties. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have charged Maduro with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.

President Trump later posted video footage of the strikes that preceded the arrest, which targeted at least four sites around Caracas.

The White House said the operation was conducted with precision and without the loss of American life.

Maduro arrived in New York Saturday evening and is now being held in federal custody. His first court appearance is expected as soon as Monday in New York City.

Harris’s criticism drew immediate and intense reaction on X, where users challenged her statements and pointed to past positions taken by the Biden-Harris administration.

Several commenters noted that during the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. government maintained a $25 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, a point highlighted publicly by Article III Project Senior Counsel Will Chamberlain.

Others questioned Harris’s assertion that the operation lacked legal authority, citing the long-standing indictments against Maduro and U.S. efforts over multiple administrations to hold him accountable for alleged drug trafficking and related offenses.

Harris’s post also revived comparisons to earlier statements made by Joe Biden.

During the 2020 campaign, Biden criticized Trump by saying he “admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro.”

Critics online contrasted that statement with the Biden-Harris administration’s record in office, during which Maduro remained in power and no comparable action was taken to remove him.

 

Pete Hegseth Takes CBS News Anchor to School on Difference Between Iraq and Venezuela
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Pete Hegseth Takes CBS News Anchor to School on Difference Between Iraq and Venezuela

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Saturday that the U.S. military operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will benefit the United States and its allies in the Western Hemisphere, distinguishing the action from past American interventions such as the Iraq War.

Hegseth made the remarks during an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, responding to questions about whether the operation could draw comparisons to earlier U.S. military actions abroad.

The discussion followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces supported a law enforcement operation that arrested Maduro and his wife in Caracas early Saturday morning.

President Trump said the operation was carried out without any American casualties.

According to the President, U.S. military forces provided protection during the mission, which culminated in Maduro’s arrest and removal from power.

Reports indicated that elite U.S. units, including the Army’s Delta Force, were involved in securing the operation.

During the interview, Dokoupil noted the visible public reaction following Maduro’s removal, both inside Venezuela and among Venezuelans living abroad.

“In the aftermath of this successful mission, there were tears of joy in Caracas. In Miami, Venezuelan refugees obviously thrilled to see Maduro out of power, his capture,” Dokoupil said.

“You can understand why, they’ve got all that oil and yet the country itself has skyrocketing prices his own people have been starving.”

Dokoupil then raised concerns voiced by some Americans who viewed the development through the lens of past U.S. interventions, particularly the Iraq War, which Hegseth served in during his military career.

“And yet a meaningful number of Americans would wake up to this news and they would be ripped back 20 years to another American president, another U.S. intervention,” Dokoupil continued.

“I’m thinking of the war in Iraq, and that led to a significant loss of U.S. treasure and of U.S. blood. Many of the president’s own supporters tonight are wondering, ‘How is this, this time around, going to be different? And how is it in the U.S. interest?’”

Hegseth responded by drawing a direct contrast between the Iraq War and the operation in Venezuela, arguing that the Trump administration’s approach was fundamentally different in both scope and execution.

“I mean, we spent decades and decades and spent, purchased in blood, and got nothing economically in return and President Trump flips the script,” Hegseth said.

“He says, ‘Through strategic action, we can ensure that we have access to additional wealth and resources, enabling a country to unleash that without having to spend American blood.’”

Hegseth described the operation as deliberate and carefully planned, emphasizing that U.S. forces were given the time and resources needed to carry it out successfully.

“I mean, this was a bold and audacious move, but it was thought through, it was well orchestrated; our military had time to set it up,” he said.

“He provided the resources and then he took that bold stroke, and through it, we flipped that very dynamic and Americans will benefit.”

Reaction among Trump supporters online was largely supportive of Maduro’s removal and arrest, though some expressed caution following the President’s statement that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be achieved.

Administration officials have said the goal is to stabilize the country and support a transition that benefits both Venezuelans and regional security.

Hegseth argued that Venezuela’s economic collapse was the result of years of mismanagement and corruption under Maduro’s leadership, despite the country’s natural wealth.

“Venezuela has a long history of being a rich and prosperous country,” Hegseth said.

“It’s been stolen away from its people by horrific leadership.”

He said the administration’s strategy aims to support Venezuelans while also advancing U.S. interests in the region.

“We can do both help them and help the United States in the western hemisphere by reestablishing the Monroe Doctrine,” Hegseth said.

“Peace through strength with our allies — as was demonstrated last night and I think the hemisphere — I know the hemisphere will benefit from President Trump’s bold action.”

WATCH:

Marco Rubio Smashes Through Liberal Venezuela Narratives in Back-to-Back Media Appearances
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Marco Rubio Smashes Through Liberal Venezuela Narratives in Back-to-Back Media Appearances

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela’s newly sworn-in acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, is not the country’s legitimate leader and made clear that the United States will not support her remaining in power following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Rodríguez, who previously served as Venezuela’s vice president, was sworn in on Saturday after U.S. forces conducted a military operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture and transfer to the United States.

Maduro had ruled Venezuela since 2013 and has been under U.S. indictment on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges since 2020.

Rubio confirmed that he spoke directly with Rodríguez after the operation but emphasized that the Trump administration does not recognize her authority and is instead pushing for a transitional process leading to elections.

“This is not about the legitimate president. We don’t believe that this regime in place is legitimate via an election,” Rubio said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

“And that’s not just us. It’s 60-something countries around the world that have taken that view as well.”

He said the absence of internationally recognized elections remains the central obstacle to U.S. and international acceptance of any successor government tied to the Maduro regime.

“Ultimately, legitimacy for their system of government will come about through a period of transition and real elections,” Rubio said.

The comments followed Maduro’s removal after years of international condemnation over disputed elections, allegations of corruption, and ties to drug trafficking organizations.

The United States and dozens of other countries have long refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s lawful president, citing election irregularities and repression of political opposition.

Rodríguez’s elevation to acting president immediately raised questions about whether the Maduro-era political structure would continue under new leadership.

Rubio’s statements made clear that Washington does not view her swearing-in as a resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis.

In addition to rejecting Rodríguez’s legitimacy, Rubio said the Trump administration plans to use economic pressure to force political reforms in Caracas.

He specifically pointed to the administration’s oil quarantine on Venezuela as a key tool to shape the country’s future.

“I cannot overstate how crippling this is for their future,” Rubio said, referring to the restrictions on Venezuela’s oil industry.

He added that the policy is intended to pressure Venezuelan authorities to move toward democratic reforms while also outlining a potential path forward.

“[And] that, on the other hand, there’s an alternative to that … an oil industry that actually benefits the people,” Rubio said.

Venezuela possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but years of mismanagement, sanctions, and corruption have sharply reduced production and export capacity.

The Trump administration has argued that oil revenue under Maduro was diverted to regime insiders and criminal networks rather than benefiting the Venezuelan population.

Rubio indicated that any easing of U.S. restrictions would be contingent on concrete political changes, including a genuine transition process and internationally monitored elections.

The situation leaves Venezuela in a period of uncertainty as international attention shifts to how leadership will be determined in the aftermath of Maduro’s capture.

While Rodríguez currently holds the title of acting president, the Trump administration’s position signals that Washington will continue to treat Venezuela as a country in transition rather than one with a recognized head of state.

Rubio’s comments also reflect broader coordination with U.S. allies, many of whom have adopted similar positions regarding Venezuela’s leadership and electoral legitimacy.

The Secretary of State stressed that the U.S. stance is not isolated but shared by a wide coalition of nations that have rejected the outcomes of Maduro-era elections.

As Venezuela faces continued economic strain and political instability, Rubio said the administration’s objective remains a transition that leads to what he described as “real elections,” rather than the continuation of leadership drawn from the same governing apparatus that has dominated the country for more than a decade.

Based Newsmax Host Tells Taxpayers How to Stick it to the Tax Man
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Based Newsmax Host Tells Taxpayers How to Stick it to the Tax Man

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Media commentator Carl Higbie said Americans should take direct action against what he described as an unfair tax system by instructing their employers to stop withholding federal taxes from their paychecks, arguing the move would deny the federal government an interest-free loan on workers’ income and force lawmakers to respond.

Higbie made the remarks while outlining what he characterized as a lawful tactic to draw attention to federal taxation policy and congressional inaction.

He said employees who receive a W-2 can ask their human resources departments to halt federal tax withholding and instead set the money aside themselves.

“But here’s what you can do, and this is bold, here’s some, and it’s totally legal, by the way, you get a W-2, right?” Higbie said.

“Go to your HR department on Monday and tell them that you don’t want to withhold any federal taxes from your payroll.”

Higbie cautioned that the taxes would still likely need to be paid later, but argued that withholding them throughout the year benefits the government at taxpayers’ expense.

“Now look, put those in a separate account, because you’re still going to probably have to pay them at the end of the year unless Trump takes my idea and pardons every citizen for not paying taxes in 2026 but you would break the trend of not giving the government an interest free loan on your income for an entire year,” he said.

Higbie said taxpayers could settle their obligations when filing returns rather than allowing the government to hold the funds for months.

“You can just pay it at the end of the year when you do your taxes in April,” he said.

“If a few million productive citizens do that. I bet the Treasury starts panicking, but we get their attention real quick, folks.”

He said his advocacy does not end on air, claiming he actively relays audience feedback to elected officials and senior staff.

“Just so you know, I don’t just like come on here also and talk about this,” Higbie said.

“When I get done with this show for an hour on the train, and when I get home, I’m like, taking clips of what we talked about and showing them your sentiment of the tweets and things that you send me, and I send them directly to congressmen and senators and governors and sometimes even the President’s staff, so they know how we feel.”

Higbie encouraged listeners to amplify their views on social media to force lawmakers to address tax policy directly.

“I feel like a conduit of you, and the more you folks share this stuff, like go on social media and follow me on Instagram and Twitter or X or whatever it’s called, and share this stuff, force them to listen,” he said.

He criticized long-serving lawmakers and called for concrete legislative action, including revisiting constitutional provisions governing federal taxation.

“I’m done supporting empty promises,” Higbie said.

“Let these people who have worked in DC for decades know that it’s time to do real stuff like repeal the 16th Amendment, just like put it up for a vote. Why not get people on the record who is for and against taxing?”

Higbie argued that Congress has failed to deliver results and said transparency on lawmakers’ positions is necessary.

“You just start doing stuff, because this last year has been Congress’s least effective year in my lifetime,” he said.

WATCH:

Communists Rally in Times Square Demanding Narco-Terrorists Dictator Maduro’s Release
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Communists Rally in Times Square Demanding Narco-Terrorists Dictator Maduro’s Release

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Communist and leftist activists gathered in New York City’s Times Square following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, calling for his release and condemning the American operation that transferred him to the United States to face federal narco-terrorism charges.

The demonstration took place after Maduro was taken into U.S. custody and flown out of Venezuela.

Protesters were seen holding signs reading “Release Maduro” and displaying images of Maduro alongside slogans including “Stand with the Bolivian Revolution.”

Participants waved communist flags and accused the United States of unlawfully detaining the Venezuelan leader.

One protester who addressed the crowd alleged that the United States had “kidnapped” Maduro and argued that the operation was driven by American efforts to gain control over Venezuela’s oil reserves.

A booth set up at the gathering distributed communist literature and recruited supporters opposed to what organizers described as U.S. imperialism.

The protest drew attention not only because of its message but also because of the visible presence of ideological organizing in a major public space.

Observers reported that activists used the event to sign up new members, distribute printed materials, and promote opposition to U.S. foreign policy.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement after news broke of Maduro’s capture, publicly criticizing the U.S. action.

Mamdani described the operation as unlawful and warned of its potential effects on city residents.

“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” Mamdani said.

“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”

Mamdani’s comments were circulated widely as the Times Square protest unfolded, drawing attention to differing reactions within New York City to the developments in Venezuela.

At the same time, Venezuelans supporting the Trump administration’s actions were also present in Times Square.

Some were seen confronting left-wing demonstrators advocating for Maduro’s release.

Others expressed gratitude toward President Donald Trump for authorizing the operation that led to Maduro’s removal from power and transfer to the United States.

The opposing demonstrations reflected deep divisions within the Venezuelan diaspora and among political activists in the city.

While leftist groups called for Maduro’s release and denounced U.S. involvement, Venezuelan opponents of the regime described the capture as a long-awaited step toward accountability.

Similar scenes of celebration have been reported among Venezuelans in other countries following Maduro’s removal.

Venezuelan communities abroad have publicly marked the development after years of political unrest and economic decline under Maduro’s leadership.

Maduro has been accused by the United States of leading the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking organization alleged to have funneled large quantities of narcotics into the United States.

U.S. authorities have long maintained that the group operated with the protection of senior Venezuelan officials.

Maduro has been in power since 2013, when he succeeded longtime Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez.

His most recent election has been widely disputed, with multiple countries refusing to recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

International criticism of his government has focused on allegations of election irregularities, political repression, and corruption.

The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to one of the largest displacement events in the Western Hemisphere.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, approximately 8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2017 amid ongoing instability and economic collapse.


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