In both domestic and international arenas, Donald Trump and his administration continue to pursue actions that are not only unpopular among the American populace but also detrimental to the Republican Party’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
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Trump’s foray into Venezuelan affairs appears to be a chaotic endeavor lacking a coherent strategy, seemingly centered only on the desire to access oil resources. However, the oil companies are hesitant to invest the substantial funds required—estimated in the hundreds of billions—to revitalize the Venezuelan oil sector. In a bewildering twist, the president is now proposing the idea of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize an industry that may primarily benefit these same corporations.
While numerous members of Congress contort themselves to support a president seemingly devoid of a clear plan for Venezuela, a faction of Republicans is voicing alarm over Trump’s increasing disregard for both the Constitution and international law.
On Thursday, five Senate Republicans—Susan Collins, Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Todd Young—joined forces with every Democrat, including Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, to pass a War Powers Act resolution. This measure aims to restrict Trump’s ability to take further actions in Venezuela without congressional approval.
In response, Trump unleashed a torrent of rhetoric that offered one of the most distorted interpretations of the Constitution one might encounter.
Stay tuned to discover why Susan Collins is being viewed as a bellwether for the 2026 election cycle.
