Massie Criticizes Trump for Profiting from ‘Stolen’ Venezuelan Oil
Energy Secretary Chris Wright joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss the administration’s effort to keep coal plants operational, the move to make tech companies pay for power costs, and the selling of Venezuelan oil.
On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voiced strong criticism against President Donald Trump’s administration regarding its handling of oil seized from Venezuela earlier this month. Massie asserted that the president cannot sell this oil for “his own piggy bank.”
Massie characterized the oil as “stolen,” emphasizing that Trump cannot “legally create a second Treasury overseas for his own piggy bank.” He stated, “Selling stolen oil and putting billions of dollars in a bank in Qatar to be spent without Congressional approval is not Constitutional. Only Congress can appropriate money.”
RAND PAUL SAYS US IN ‘ACTIVE WAR’ WITH VENEZUELA: ‘I STILL HOPE IT WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST’
Rep. Thomas Massie said the oil was “stolen” and “only Congress can appropriate money.” (Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The president can’t legally create a second Treasury overseas for his own piggy bank,” he continued, urging Congress to “wake up.”
This criticism follows the U.S. operation aimed at arresting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent seizure of oil tankers from the country.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA OIL DEAL NETS FIRST $500M SALE UNDER NEW AGREEMENT
Venezuela is a significant oil producer, and its oil industry has drawn considerable attention from the Trump administration. Trump has indicated that oil sales to the U.S. would commence immediately, with an initial shipment of approximately 30 to 50 million barrels slated for sale to the U.S. government.
Rep. Thomas Massie said Congress needs to “wake up.” (Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump previously stated, “This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”
Last week, administration officials revealed that the government had completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, generating approximately $500 million in revenue, which is being held in bank accounts controlled by the U.S. government, including one in Qatar.
The Energy Department has indicated that U.S. sales of Venezuelan oil could continue “indefinitely,” and is collaborating with “the world’s leading commodity marketers and key banks to execute and provide financial support for these crude oil and crude products sales.”
Massie has consistently clashed with Trump in recent months over issues such as large-scale federal spending, military actions without congressional authorization, and the administration’s foreign policy approach.
Rep. Thomas Massie said President Donald Trump cannot sell the Venezuelan oil for “his own piggy bank.” (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images / Getty Images)
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In a twist, Trump is backing Massie’s primary opponent after calling for a challenger to emerge. Despite this, the Kentucky Republican secured 76% of the vote in the GOP primary for his district in 2024, running unopposed in the general election.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded to Massie’s comments, stating, “President Trump captured the narcoterrorist leader of Venezuela who poisoned the American people with deadly drugs and sent thousands of vicious illegal aliens into our country. Thomas Massie crying about that is just one more reason why the great people of Kentucky have completely lost faith in him.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss the administration’s effort to keep coal plants operational, the move to make tech companies pay for power costs, and the selling of Venezuelan oil.
On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voiced strong criticism against President Donald Trump’s administration regarding its handling of oil seized from Venezuela earlier this month. Massie asserted that the president cannot sell this oil for “his own piggy bank.”
Massie characterized the oil as “stolen,” emphasizing that Trump cannot “legally create a second Treasury overseas for his own piggy bank.” He stated, “Selling stolen oil and putting billions of dollars in a bank in Qatar to be spent without Congressional approval is not Constitutional. Only Congress can appropriate money.”
RAND PAUL SAYS US IN ‘ACTIVE WAR’ WITH VENEZUELA: ‘I STILL HOPE IT WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST’
Rep. Thomas Massie said the oil was “stolen” and “only Congress can appropriate money.” (Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The president can’t legally create a second Treasury overseas for his own piggy bank,” he continued, urging Congress to “wake up.”
This criticism follows the U.S. operation aimed at arresting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent seizure of oil tankers from the country.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA OIL DEAL NETS FIRST $500M SALE UNDER NEW AGREEMENT
Venezuela is a significant oil producer, and its oil industry has drawn considerable attention from the Trump administration. Trump has indicated that oil sales to the U.S. would commence immediately, with an initial shipment of approximately 30 to 50 million barrels slated for sale to the U.S. government.
Rep. Thomas Massie said Congress needs to “wake up.” (Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump previously stated, “This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”
Last week, administration officials revealed that the government had completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, generating approximately $500 million in revenue, which is being held in bank accounts controlled by the U.S. government, including one in Qatar.
The Energy Department has indicated that U.S. sales of Venezuelan oil could continue “indefinitely,” and is collaborating with “the world’s leading commodity marketers and key banks to execute and provide financial support for these crude oil and crude products sales.”
Massie has consistently clashed with Trump in recent months over issues such as large-scale federal spending, military actions without congressional authorization, and the administration’s foreign policy approach.
Rep. Thomas Massie said President Donald Trump cannot sell the Venezuelan oil for “his own piggy bank.” (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images / Getty Images)
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
In a twist, Trump is backing Massie’s primary opponent after calling for a challenger to emerge. Despite this, the Kentucky Republican secured 76% of the vote in the GOP primary for his district in 2024, running unopposed in the general election.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded to Massie’s comments, stating, “President Trump captured the narcoterrorist leader of Venezuela who poisoned the American people with deadly drugs and sent thousands of vicious illegal aliens into our country. Thomas Massie crying about that is just one more reason why the great people of Kentucky have completely lost faith in him.”
