The interview has intensified bipartisan scrutiny in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about whether the administration is exceeding its legal authority. For more on the interview, see Vanity Fair at https://www.vanityfair.com.
Terrorism Designation Raises Legal Questions
Trump also claimed in his post that the “Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” a statement that prompted confusion among legal experts. Traditionally, such designations apply to non-state actors, not sovereign governments with United Nations membership.
While the Trump administration did designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization in November, Venezuela itself is not listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. That distinction typically applies to governments accused of financing or tolerating extremist violence.
“War Is Coming?” Media and Lawmaker Reactions
Adding to the uncertainty, commentator Tucker Carlson said in a Wednesday interview that a member of Congress told him lawmakers were briefed that Trump is preparing to announce that “war is coming.” The comments, reported by Mediaite, have fueled speculation about whether the United States is on the brink of a direct military conflict with Venezuela. The full report is available at https://www.mediaite.com.
