Pod Save America Empire State of Mind
130 snips
Jan 6, 2026 
Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator from Arizona, joins to discuss a political firestorm surrounding Secretary Hegseth's censure against him. He emphasizes the importance of service members standing against illegal orders. The conversation also covers the legality of military actions, especially regarding recent U.S. involvement in Venezuela, and the need for congressional approval for such decisions. Kelly critiques the implications of these actions on global order and advocates for a more restrained approach to military intervention.
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Regime Change For Profit And Influence
- Hosts highlight that Trump and advisers openly prioritized Venezuelan oil over democratic outcomes.
- They warn regime change was chosen for crony profit and geopolitical leverage, not human rights.
Don Roe Doctrine: Hemisphere Ambitions
- Trump publicly mused about toppling regimes across the hemisphere, naming Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, and Greenland.
- Hosts see this as a disturbing expansion of imperial rhetoric with real diplomatic consequences.
Global Backlash And Eroding Norms
- International reaction was swift and negative, with the UN and Latin American leaders condemning the U.S. action.
- Hosts warn the raid erodes norms and may invite reciprocal aggression by rivals like China and Russia.
