Marco Rubio told you why we attacked Venezuela.
Asked on Meet the Press about elections in the country we just invaded, the Secretary of State said discussing them is “premature.” Higher priorities than democracy, he explained, including reinvigorating the oil industry, must be addressed first.
There’s nothing ambiguous when the nation’s top diplomat says on national television that American oil companies will rebuild the infrastructure and, in Trump’s words, “start making money.”
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the 600,000 Venezuelans whose protected status she ended can now apply for refugee status. By refugee status, she means from us.
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New York Times and Washington Post held Venezuela raid story after administration warned reporting could endanger troops, 40 killed in operation.
Today’s GovBrief News
Trump shares debunked conspiracy theory that Minnesota Gov. Walz ordered killing of state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home as her children beg him to remove the post.
Source: KMSP Minneapolis
January 4, 2026
Danish and Greenland leaders tell Trump to stop threatening annexation after he linked the territory to Venezuela, as senior aide's wife posted map with US flag and "SOON."
Source: Deutsche Welle
January 4, 2026
Trump says US probe found Ukraine did not target Putin's residence, two days after ordering US forces to raid Maduro's compound and capture him.
Source: Euronews
January 4, 2026
Cuba announces 32 of its military and intelligence officers killed during US raid to capture Maduro, declares two days of national mourning.
Source: Reuters
January 4, 2026
Rubio says discussing elections in Venezuela is "premature" because higher priorities, including reinvigorating the oil industry, must be addressed first.
Source: UPI
January 4, 2026
Trump predicts Cuba "ready to fall," threatens Colombia's president won't be "doing it very long," promises "second strike" on Venezuela if they "don't behave."
Source: Politico
January 4, 2026
Venezuela's Supreme Court names Delcy Rodríguez interim president as Trump declares US "in charge," demands "total access" to oil, threatens she'll "pay a very big price" for defiance.
Source: Axios
January 4, 2026
Noem says 600,000 Venezuelans whose temporary protection from deportation she ended can now apply for refugee status after US invaded their country and captured their president.
Source: The Hill
January 4, 2026