Mona Burns
@monaburns.bsky.social
Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas.
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
No DMs please
Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵
No DMs please
Reposted by Mona Burns
In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard warned that Trump’s desire to intervene in Venezuela is “about the oil ... again.”
January 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In 2019, Tulsi Gabbard warned that Trump’s desire to intervene in Venezuela is “about the oil ... again.”
From the currently very quiet Trump DNI Tulsi Gabbard
Before she became DNI in 2019:
Before she became DNI in 2019:
Tulsi Gabbard in 2019:
“The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela.
Let the Venezuelan people determine their future.
We don't want other countries to choose our leaders--so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.”
“The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela.
Let the Venezuelan people determine their future.
We don't want other countries to choose our leaders--so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.”
January 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
From the currently very quiet Trump DNI Tulsi Gabbard
Before she became DNI in 2019:
Before she became DNI in 2019:
Reposted by Mona Burns
None of these words are in the Bible.
MAGA Senator Eric Schmitt (MO) on Fox this morning:
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
January 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
None of these words are in the Bible.
GOP Senator Tom Cotton (Ark) with the GOP 'messaging' on Venezuela 👇
Expect to hear a lot more of this kind of nonsense in the coming days
Expect to hear a lot more of this kind of nonsense in the coming days
Tom Cotton: "Congress isn't notified when the FBI is going to arrest a drug trafficker or cyber criminal here in the US, nor should Congress be notified when the executive branch is executing arrests on indicted persons. And that's really what you can make the analogy to here."
January 3, 2026 at 4:06 PM
GOP Senator Tom Cotton (Ark) with the GOP 'messaging' on Venezuela 👇
Expect to hear a lot more of this kind of nonsense in the coming days
Expect to hear a lot more of this kind of nonsense in the coming days
MAGA Senate Majority Ldr John Thune on Venezuela:
Says he spoke to Rubio "early this morning"
Thune is "looking forward" to briefings
Absolutely nothing about Trump admin ignoring Congress
Says he spoke to Rubio "early this morning"
Thune is "looking forward" to briefings
Absolutely nothing about Trump admin ignoring Congress
Thune says he spoke to Rubio. This comes as many Democrats say they were not briefed.
January 3, 2026 at 4:03 PM
MAGA Senate Majority Ldr John Thune on Venezuela:
Says he spoke to Rubio "early this morning"
Thune is "looking forward" to briefings
Absolutely nothing about Trump admin ignoring Congress
Says he spoke to Rubio "early this morning"
Thune is "looking forward" to briefings
Absolutely nothing about Trump admin ignoring Congress
Dem Senator Andy Kim (NJ):
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said [Venezuela] wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress.”
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said [Venezuela] wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress.”
January 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Dem Senator Andy Kim (NJ):
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said [Venezuela] wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress.”
“Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said [Venezuela] wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress.”
Reposted by Mona Burns
Some preliminary legal context on the overnight strike on Caracas and the arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife on US drug trafficking charges. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Trump Strikes Venezuela; Arrests President Maduro
As you’re likely aware by now, overnight, the Trump administration, without alerting Congress first, went into Venezuela and arrested its President, Nicolás Maduro, on charges stemming from a newly an...
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Some preliminary legal context on the overnight strike on Caracas and the arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife on US drug trafficking charges. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Senator Mark Warner with a *scathing* statement on Trump's actions in Venezuela this morning:
"You cannot credibly argue that drug trafficking charges demand invasion in one case, while issuing a pardon in another”
"You cannot credibly argue that drug trafficking charges demand invasion in one case, while issuing a pardon in another”
Senate Intel RM Mark Warner on Venezuela:
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
January 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Senator Mark Warner with a *scathing* statement on Trump's actions in Venezuela this morning:
"You cannot credibly argue that drug trafficking charges demand invasion in one case, while issuing a pardon in another”
"You cannot credibly argue that drug trafficking charges demand invasion in one case, while issuing a pardon in another”
Reposted by Mona Burns
Act first, justify later. Trump is acting like Putin, and we’re paying Congress to be a rubber stamp after the fact.
January 3, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Act first, justify later. Trump is acting like Putin, and we’re paying Congress to be a rubber stamp after the fact.
Reposted by Mona Burns
Heads up, Canada.
MAGA Senator Eric Schmitt (MO) on Fox this morning:
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
January 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Heads up, Canada.
Senate Intel RM Mark Warner on Venezuela:
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
January 3, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Senate Intel RM Mark Warner on Venezuela:
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
"The hypocrisy underlying this decision is especially glaring. This same president recently pardoned Honduran President .. Hernandez..yet now, the admin claims that similar allegations justify the use of military force against another sovereign nation .."
Reposted by Mona Burns
Mike Johnson is full of 💩💩💩💩💩💩
Mike Johnson this morning:
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
January 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Mike Johnson is full of 💩💩💩💩💩💩
MAGA Senator Eric Schmitt (MO) on Fox this morning:
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
January 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
MAGA Senator Eric Schmitt (MO) on Fox this morning:
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
"The days of narco-terrorist thugs and tinpot third-world dictators down south pushing us around is over.
We are a superpower. This is our hemisphere. And we're going to start acting like it again."
"our hemisphere"
Rubbing their hands together
House GOP Rep Thomas Massie:
"If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law."
"If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law."
January 3, 2026 at 3:35 PM
House GOP Rep Thomas Massie:
"If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law."
"If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law."
Stephanie Smith on Twitter:
"Should we re-arrest the Honduran president we just pardoned?"
"Should we re-arrest the Honduran president we just pardoned?"
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Stephanie Smith on Twitter:
"Should we re-arrest the Honduran president we just pardoned?"
"Should we re-arrest the Honduran president we just pardoned?"
Reposted by Mona Burns
The superseding indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has been unsealed in the SDNY. It alleges a narco trafficking conspiracy and names four others as defendants.
January 3, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The superseding indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has been unsealed in the SDNY. It alleges a narco trafficking conspiracy and names four others as defendants.
Mike Johnson this morning:
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Mike Johnson this morning:
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
"Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives. .. The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week"
Dem House Rep Greg Casar (TX-35)
Calling Trump's actions in Venezuela "reckless and illegal"
And demanding a war powers resolution vote in the House "immediately" 👇
Calling Trump's actions in Venezuela "reckless and illegal"
And demanding a war powers resolution vote in the House "immediately" 👇
January 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Dem House Rep Greg Casar (TX-35)
Calling Trump's actions in Venezuela "reckless and illegal"
And demanding a war powers resolution vote in the House "immediately" 👇
Calling Trump's actions in Venezuela "reckless and illegal"
And demanding a war powers resolution vote in the House "immediately" 👇
.@milestaylor.bsky.social on Twitter this morning:
"Rubio: This is about a dictator who oppresses his people.
Hegseth: It’s about drugs that pose an imminent threat.
Trump: Nah, it’s about oil."
"Rubio: This is about a dictator who oppresses his people.
Hegseth: It’s about drugs that pose an imminent threat.
Trump: Nah, it’s about oil."
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
.@milestaylor.bsky.social on Twitter this morning:
"Rubio: This is about a dictator who oppresses his people.
Hegseth: It’s about drugs that pose an imminent threat.
Trump: Nah, it’s about oil."
"Rubio: This is about a dictator who oppresses his people.
Hegseth: It’s about drugs that pose an imminent threat.
Trump: Nah, it’s about oil."
Definitely feels like the Trump regime is up to something
Since WHEN is it our decision?
And why not remove the entire Maduro regime?
Is the US in cahoots with the Venezuelan VP and Maduro's lieutenants?
Since WHEN is it our decision?
And why not remove the entire Maduro regime?
Is the US in cahoots with the Venezuelan VP and Maduro's lieutenants?
FOX: Will you throw your support behind María Corina Machado?
TRUMP: Well, we're gonna have to look at it. Right now, they have a VP as you know. But the election of Maduro was a disgrace just like my election was a disgrace. 2020 was a disgrace -- a real disgrace -- now 2024 was too big to rig.
TRUMP: Well, we're gonna have to look at it. Right now, they have a VP as you know. But the election of Maduro was a disgrace just like my election was a disgrace. 2020 was a disgrace -- a real disgrace -- now 2024 was too big to rig.
January 3, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Definitely feels like the Trump regime is up to something
Since WHEN is it our decision?
And why not remove the entire Maduro regime?
Is the US in cahoots with the Venezuelan VP and Maduro's lieutenants?
Since WHEN is it our decision?
And why not remove the entire Maduro regime?
Is the US in cahoots with the Venezuelan VP and Maduro's lieutenants?
Trump on our Congress:
"These are weak, stupid people" 👇
"These are weak, stupid people" 👇
FOX & FRIENDS: Rep. Jim McGovern is saying you did not get authorization from Congress and that you just launched an 'unjustified, illegal strike on Venezuela.' Your reaction?
TRUMP: These are weak, stupid people
TRUMP: These are weak, stupid people
January 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Trump on our Congress:
"These are weak, stupid people" 👇
"These are weak, stupid people" 👇
Good Morning ..
What the fuck ?!?!?
What the fuck ?!?!?
FOX & FRIENDS: What do you think is next for the Venezuelan people now that you have removed Maduro so he can face American justice?
TRUMP: Well, we're making that decision now. We can't take a chance on letting somebody else run it, just take over where he left off. So we're making that decision
TRUMP: Well, we're making that decision now. We can't take a chance on letting somebody else run it, just take over where he left off. So we're making that decision
January 3, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Good Morning ..
What the fuck ?!?!?
What the fuck ?!?!?
Reposted by Mona Burns
People I know in Pennsylvania who volunteered for Harris said the biggest reason why young men didn't want to vote for Harris was that they believed she would send them to war.
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
January 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
People I know in Pennsylvania who volunteered for Harris said the biggest reason why young men didn't want to vote for Harris was that they believed she would send them to war.
Reposted by Mona Burns
I was going to say, at least Iraq had a (flimsy) congressional authorization.
This is nothing like Iraq. That was a catastrophe and moral atrocity, but also, Bush was incredibly popular, spent a year securing broad public support, received congressional authorization.
Trump is very unpopular, has not bothered to build any case, and is doing this illegally and unilaterally.
Trump is very unpopular, has not bothered to build any case, and is doing this illegally and unilaterally.
January 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
I was going to say, at least Iraq had a (flimsy) congressional authorization.
Reposted by Mona Burns
This is what I mean when I say that Trump has rendered Congress irrelevant. No briefing to Congress, Democrats, no asking for authorization.
January 3, 2026 at 2:14 PM
This is what I mean when I say that Trump has rendered Congress irrelevant. No briefing to Congress, Democrats, no asking for authorization.