Judging Freedom

Max Blumenthal : Venezuela at a Crossroads

Jan 28, 2026
Max Blumenthal, investigative journalist and author focused on U.S. foreign policy and Latin America. He discusses U.S. repression at home linked to lawlessness abroad. He examines a controversial raid on Maduro, a disputed “Board of Peace” tied to oil profits, and claims about censorship, TikTok moderation, and geopolitical influence in Gaza.
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INSIGHT

Immigration Enforcement As Executive Power Tool

  • Max Blumenthal argues the Trump administration weaponizes immigration enforcement to expand executive power and terrorize opponents.
  • He links ICE actions to a broader strategy of branding dissent as domestic terrorism to justify repression.
ANECDOTE

Account Of Alex Preddy's Killing

  • Max Blumenthal describes Alex Preddy being disarmed, pepper-sprayed, then shot nine times in the back by ICE in Minneapolis.
  • He frames the killing as an example of federal forces executing disarmed civilians and celebrating afterwards.
INSIGHT

Empire Abroad Mirrors Repression At Home

  • Blumenthal frames U.S. actions against Maduro as imperialism applying a 'Don Roe Doctrine' of hemispheric domination and resource plunder.
  • He says such foreign lawlessness is bleeding back into domestic policing tactics and repression.
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