Power Secretary Chris Wright joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to debate the administration’s effort to maintain coal vegetation operational, the transfer to make tech corporations pay for energy prices and the promoting of Venezuelan oil.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for the way it’s utilizing the oil seized from Venezuela earlier this month, saying the president can not promote the oil for “his personal piggy financial institution.”
Massie mentioned the oil was “stolen” and that Trump can not “legally create a second Treasury abroad for his personal piggy financial institution.”
“Promoting stolen oil and placing billions of {dollars} in a financial institution in Qatar to be spent with out Congressional approval will not be Constitutional,” Massie wrote on X. “Solely Congress can acceptable cash.”
RAND PAUL SAYS US IN ‘ACTIVE WAR’ WITH VENEZUELA: ‘I STILL HOPE IT WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST’
Rep. Thomas Massie mentioned the oil was “stolen” and “solely Congress can acceptable cash.” (Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
“The president can’t legally create a second Treasury abroad for his personal piggy financial institution,” he continued.
The congressman added: “Get up Congress.”
This comes after the U.S. operation to assault Venezuela and arrest its president, Nicolás Maduro, and the Trump administration’s subsequent seizing of oil tankers from the nation.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA OIL DEAL NETS FIRST $500M SALE UNDER NEW AGREEMENT
Venezuela is likely one of the largest producers of oil, and its oil trade has develop into a spotlight of the Trump administration.
Trump has mentioned oil gross sales to the U.S. would begin instantly, with an preliminary cargo of about 30 million to 50 million barrels to be bought to the U.S. authorities.
Rep. Thomas Massie mentioned Congress must “get up.” (Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
“This Oil will likely be bought at its Market Value, and that cash will likely be managed by me, as President of america of America, to make sure it’s used to profit the individuals of Venezuela and america!” Trump beforehand wrote on Reality Social.
Administration officers introduced final week that the federal government accomplished its first sale of Venezuelan oil, producing about $500 million in income, which is being held in financial institution accounts managed by the U.S. authorities, together with one situated in Qatar.
The Power Division has prompt the U.S. gross sales of Venezuelan oil might proceed “indefinitely.” The division additionally mentioned it was working with “the world’s main commodity entrepreneurs and key banks to execute and supply monetary help for these crude oil and crude merchandise gross sales.”
Massie has repeatedly clashed with Trump in latest months over the congressman’s opposition to large-scale federal spending, army motion with out congressional authorization and the administration’s dealing with of international coverage.
Rep. Thomas Massie mentioned President Donald Trump can not promote the Venezuelan oil for “his personal piggy financial institution.” (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
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Trump is backing Massie’s major opponent after calling for a challenger to step up, though the Kentucky Republican simply gained the GOP major for his district in 2024, securing 76% of the vote earlier than operating unopposed within the basic election.
“President Trump captured the narcoterrorist chief of Venezuela who poisoned the American individuals with lethal medication and despatched 1000’s of vicious unlawful aliens into our nation,” White Home spokesperson Taylor Rogers mentioned in a press release to The Hill. “Thomas Massie crying about that’s simply another reason why the good individuals of Kentucky have fully misplaced religion in him.”
