Trump’s Threat on Venezuela Sparks Divisions Among His MAGA Supporters
'America First' Ideology Faces Its Biggest Test as Washington Signals Another Foreign Escalation
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM — U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of a possible land strike on Venezuela has fractured the very America First coalition he built on rejecting foreign entanglements, reigniting concerns about a new “forever war” reminiscent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump hinted not only at an intervention in Venezuela but also at potential attacks on other states, unsettling anti-interventionist segments of the MAGA movement who fear Washington is preparing for another regime-change adventure under a different name.
Opponents within Trump’s own base warn that an operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could drag the U.S. into a prolonged regional conflict, destabilize Latin America, and undermine what remains of Trump’s anti-war credibility.
Republicans Shift the Goalposts on Intervention
Despite years of criticizing U.S. wars in West Asia, several Republican allies are now defending the idea of striking Venezuela. They argue operations within the Western Hemisphere are easier to justify and claim the goal is not regime change but merely “adjusting” the leadership in Caracas without altering its political structure.
Alex Gray, former National Security Council chief of staff, insisted Trump is not “playing God” with foreign governments, framing the move as a refocusing of U.S. strategy toward what he called “core American interests.”
He asserted that Venezuela has become central to Washington’s geopolitical agenda.
Growing Military Deployments Increase Pressure
Although the administration denies pursuing regime change, Washington continues leveling accusations against President Maduro—claims long recognized as part of the U.S. propaganda toolkit used against governments that resist U.S. influence.
The deployment of a carrier strike group and 15,000 U.S. troops to the region has heightened expectations that a strike may be imminent. Two individuals familiar with Trump’s private conversation with Maduro said the U.S. president threatened him directly, demanding resignation or “consequences.”
Another source familiar with internal discussions told Politico: “No one is more bullish than the president on this… this comes from the top.”
Anti-War MAGA Figures Warn of Iraq-Style Disaster
For MAGA’s anti-intervention wing, Trump’s stance marks an ideological breaking point. Many hoped the administration would prioritize domestic issues rather than foreign aggression.
Skeptics now cling to the hope that any action will mirror the limited U.S. strikes on Iran, rather than a full-scale ground invasion—an action that would violate the core principles of the America First movement.
A former senior Trump advisor cautioned: “Let’s not turn into George W. Bush and before you know it, we’re in charge of Venezuela.”
Boots on the ground or nation-building, they said, remain absolute red lines.
Even Vice President JD Vance, once a strong critic of foreign interventions, has shifted tone, now defending limited strikes and describing any action in Venezuela as necessary to confront “narco terrorists.”
Regional Impact and Risk of Destabilization
Opponents of U.S. interference warn that toppling Maduro could unleash migration waves, empower criminal networks, and shock global energy markets—outcomes that echo the fallout from the Iraq war.
Ian Bremmer of the Eurasia Group emphasized Trump never campaigned on regime change, calling unilateral military action “a NeoCon idea… discredited around the world.”
Some conservative analysts argue Trump may ultimately pull back. Curt Mills of The American Conservative said Trump could still conclude that military escalation would be “a disaster in the making.”
Washington’s Litmus Test: Profit and Power
At a Cabinet meeting, U.S. officials reduced the question of war to a transactional formula.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time champion of aggressive action in Venezuela, stated: “Is it going to make us richer? Is it going to make us safer? If it is, he is for it.”
The remark underscored what many in Caracas and across the Global South have long argued: U.S. interventions are driven not by democracy or humanitarian concerns, but by strategic and economic calculations. (PW)
U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of a possible land strike on Venezuela has fractured the very America First coalition he built on rejecting foreign entanglements, reigniting concerns about a new “forever war” reminiscent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Strike? Make America Gringo Again. This Semen Drip, hmm.....
Home » Global » They are all war criminals!
They are all war criminals!
WW statement
By a guest author and Workers World Party posted on December 3, 2025
The Pentagon’s targeting of small boats in the Caribbean Sea, alleging without proof that they are from Venezuela and are bringing narcotics into the U.S., has come under scrutiny in the past few days. Specifically, U.S. Secretary of War Peter Hegseth has been accused of ordering U.S. Special Operations Command commander Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley to carry out a second attack on a boat to kill the two survivors of the initial attack. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the incident “rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true.” (cbsnews.com, Nov. 30)
Now many commentators and public figures are saying this attack is in fact a war crime.
When The Washington Post first leaked reports of the alleged war crime, President Donald Trump and Hegseth called out “fake news.” Now that the second attack is acknowledged to have taken place, Hegseth is arguing that the second attack on the boat was legal, claiming, “Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.” (Aljazeera.com, Dec. 2)
Whether Bradley acted under orders from Hegseth or the attack on the survivors was his initiative is being disputed. Hegseth and Trump both minimized their responsibility, in effect putting the blame on Bradley — like bosses usually blame someone under them.
Workers World regards all of the attacks on these civilian vessels, which the Pentagon admits have led to at least 80 deaths, as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Trump’s proclamation of a “no-fly zone” over Venezuelan and surrounding skies — which international airlines did not obey — was also an illegal war crime. Moreover, we regard the brutal U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, which are an attempt to starve the people into accepting regime change in their country, as a criminal act of war.
This is a serious struggle within the ruling class over war strategy and tactics. Forces in the anti-imperialist movement must intervene against Trump and Hegseth, but be aware that they have to expose militarists in both wings of the ruling class and push it further.
The Democratic Congress members who made the “Don’t Give Up the Ship” video said they would “have the back” of service members who refuse to obey illegal orders. The anti-imperialist movement should make it clear that the movement will support any military refusers.
We condemn all attempts by both Democrats and Republicans to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s legitimate, socialist-oriented government and replace it with a pro-imperialist puppet. Maduro has rightly stated that “Venezuela does not and will not accept any form of tutelage. … We strongly reject the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine and uphold the Bolivarian Doctrine.” (miamiherard.com, Nov. 10)
Workers World calls on all U.S. military personnel to refuse to carry out any orders to attack Venezuelan sovereignty. WW also strongly urges all activists to mobilize in the streets to condemn any direct U.S. military attacks on Venezuelan soil.
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https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/more-rotten-and-rotting-news-sic