Discussion: Trump’s Iron Fist Geopolitics

Do the means justify the ends in Venezuela and Greenland?

George: With the new year rolling in, Trump has surprised the world again, this time by capturing a foreign leader. Abby, what do you make of President Trump’s show of force in Venezuela?

Abby: Hi George! While trying another foreign leader within the United States is not unprecedented, doing so without proper support from Congress clearly violates our system of checks and balances. The incident heightens my fear that Trump will act alone on his other preposterous foreign policy goals without support from the people. Do you think that this kidnapping was justified?

George: I think the removal of a brutal, hated dictator is cause for jubilation—the Venezuelans who celebrated in the streets following Maduro’s extradition demonstrate just how repressive his socialist regime is. Yes, I would have preferred that Trump obtain Congress’s consent to go into Venezuela, but I wonder if the operation’s amazing success—no American casualties, for example—owes in part to its secrecy. For years, Congress has wielded less and less influence over the executive branch and U.S. foreign policy, so I think this operation is another example of this concerning trend.

Abby: Yes, over the past few administrations, we have seen Congress has steadily given up more and more of its powers to the executive. While I am neither a huge Maduro fan nor do I think that he should remain in office, I do not see his narcotics empire as a direct threat to the United States. The majority of Venezuela’s narcotics business is shipping cocaine to Europe. The majority of drug-related deaths from the United States can not be attributed to Maduro’s drug regime. Maduro’s abduction seems far more related to gaining stronger access to Venezuelan oil, and Trump does not seem too concerned with allying himself with oppressive leaders (Putin).

George: I’m glad to see Marco Rubio playing a bigger role in Trump’s foreign policy, and I welcome this new interventionist orientation. Our show of force in Venezuela has stunned the authoritarians in Beijing and Moscow, and per our longstanding Monroe Doctrine, it’s in America’s interest to affect pro-democratic change in the Western Hemisphere. Precisely because most of Maduro’s drug business goes to Europe, we will have done our allies a favor there. I’m mainly concerned with how the U.S. will proceed. The Administration clearly wants to avoid another regime-change quagmire like Afghanistan. I hope the Administration offers Delcy Rodriguez and her cronies a deal to leave power, and I hope the U.S. can facilitate legitimate elections in Venezuela soon.

Abby: While these interventionist actions have often succeeded in removing an authoritarian leader from power, it often leads to either a proxy war or a similar authoritarian regime rising up in its place. Maybe I am too cynical, but I fail to believe that Maduro’s removal will lead to a drastic change in the nature of Venezuela’s government or of the shipment of drugs to the U.S. Right now, the United States needs to work on preserving democracy in the Western Hemisphere—not by concerning itself with Venezuela, but by making sure that democratic processes are followed within our own country. This intervention seems like a theatrical distraction from the domestic issues the administration is facing.

George: “Theatre” is a good way to describe Trump. I find his apparent caprice concerning, and it’s ironic that he’s taking positive steps for democracy in Venezuela while only 5 years ago he incited an insurrection on the Capitol. As important as it is to be critical, I feel it’s also important not to be blinded by my own personal contempt for our commander-in-chief. The Administration tried diplomacy for months in Venezuela, and when diplomacy failed, they deftly captured someone whose blunderous leadership has caused a mass emigration crisis. Venezuelans accounted for the second-largest population (after Mexico) who crossed the southern border under Biden’s presidency.

Abby: But the Maduro operation still needed Congress's approval. Especially considering Venezuela’s role in the American immigration crisis, it should have gone through Congress first. However, even with Congress’s approval, I do not think that removing Maduro is the solution to narco terrorism or even immigration crisis on our Southern borders. Our immigration crisis is clearly an issue that needs to be proactively addressed, I do not think that this is an effective way to do it.

George: With a Republican trifecta, it’s shameful that Congress has no other legislative objectives beyond groveling before the president. Why hasn’t Congress passed an immigration bill? Congress has scarcely asserted itself on any issue. As much as one can blame Trump for his presidential imperiousness, one also has to blame Congress and their Republican leaders for their weakness in the face of such concentrated executive power. 

Abby: You’re right. I can not give Trump that much credit. While I disagree with the manner with which they are going into Venezuela, the Trump administration has at least taken an active role in ameliorating the crisis. What I am now curious to see is how this interventionist approach will play out in the proposed purchase of Greenland.

George: The Administration would ideally purchase Greenland—it’s a geopolitical no-brainer. Denmark, despite being one of the European countries most committed to funding its own defense, doesn’t have the capabilities of the American military. Threats to use force to seize Greenland are more of the same dangerous bluster used to bolster Trump’s negotiating position. By bullying Europe into fearing the worst (i.e., actual war), Trump can strike a deal that ultimately makes him look like the victor. The U.S. bought Alaska in 1867 in what was known as Seward’s Folly, which later turned into an extremely prescient purchase. It shouldn’t be any different with Greenland, though Trump and his cabinet risk emboldening Denmark et al. with this needlessly inflammatory posturing.

Abby: Just like Venezuela, Trump needs to do it the right way, either by legitimately buying it or making a deal with Denmark after getting the funds appropriated by Congress. Preserving our alliances and keeping Greenland out of Putin’s grasp is necessary for the free world.

George Thornton '26 and Abby Tribush '26