Trump removes any doubt about the Venezuela gambit: It’s about the oil

"They took all of our oil from not that long ago, and we want it back," he said. "But they took it, they illegally took it." The truth isn't that simple.

Friday, December 19, 2025 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS Trump removes any doubt about the Venezuela gambit: It's about the oil Trump removes any doubt about the Venezuela gambit: It's about the oil "They took all of our oil from not that long ago, and we want it back," he said. "But they took it, they illegally took it." The truth isn't that simple. MORE The White House picks the wrong fight over private sector job growth If White House officials want to talk about private sector jobs, they may not like where the conversation ends up. MORE The White House picks the wrong fight over private sector job growth If White House officials want to talk about private sector jobs, they may not like where the conversation ends up. MORE As Trump touts 'warrior dividend' payments, be sure to read the fine print The president said the payments for the troops were financed by tariff revenue. When the evidence proved otherwise, he doubled down on the falsehood. MORE As Trump touts 'warrior dividend' payments, be sure to read the fine print The president said the payments for the troops were financed by tariff revenue. When the evidence proved otherwise, he doubled down on the falsehood. MORE Republicans confirm scandal-plagued former congressman to serve as an inspector general Anthony D'Esposito will be expected to investigate ethical lapses, despite his own alleged ethical lapses. MORE Republicans confirm scandal-plagued former congressman to serve as an inspector general Anthony D'Esposito will be expected to investigate ethical lapses, despite his own alleged ethical lapses. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG On swastikas and nooses, the Coast Guard reverses its reversed reversal White House is still trying to rewrite recent history about the Biden-era economy Nearly five years later, the ranks of the GOP's Impeachment 10 are nearly gone Republicans confirm Trump's controversial choice for U.S. ambassador to South Africa Handpicked Kennedy Center board members vote to rename it the 'Trump-Kennedy Center' WHAT'S ON RACHELS' BLUESKY RADAR? 'You don't have to do it alone': how US cities are helping each other resist ICE (The Guardian) 👇👇👇👇 this this this👇👇👇👇 "Pritzker said people around Chicago are in a better position to respond to the increased federal presence after the first round with Bovino. Legislation Pritzker signed last week aims to bar civil immigration arrests from being carried out in courts, day care centers and hospitals and public universities, and the new law gives people more leeway to sue agents accused of violating their civil rights. His administration also formed the Illinois Accountability Commission to give people an avenue to report abuses. The commission will meet for the first time Thursday. "I'm very proud of the way that Illinoisans have reacted to CBP and ICE, and that's in pulling out your whistles and your phones, video [recording] everything and posting it online," Pritzker said. "We have a population that knows how to react when their community is being invaded, and we've seen people step up." State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said she saw residents running out of their homes to "fight back" against agents patrolling streets and questioning residents' legal status." (Chicago Sun-Times) "Nearby, neighbors and activists shouted, blew whistles and set up trash bins to try to block a Border Patrol caravan..." Bovino's back: Border Patrol commander leads fresh round of immigration raids in Chicago area (Chicago Sun-Times) Follow Rachel Maddow on Bluesky here. MORE THAN A PODCAST Don't miss Rachel's visual bibliography for the Burn Order podcast, located toward the bottom of the Burn Order page on MS.NOW. If you stop listening to the podcast episodes of any of Rachel's podcasts once she starts to read the credits, you miss the quirkly little bit that she saves for the very end, but in the case of Burn Order, on many episodes you're also missing book recommendations.   But if you head to the Burn Order page on MS.NOW, you'll find a list of photos of all of the books Rachel has been reading in the course of researching the podcast,including some by people you'll recognize from the story. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER