The State Department will freeze immigrant visa processing for the citizens of dozens of nations over welfare concerns.
The department announced on Wednesday that it will stop processing visas for 75 countries. The Trump administration plans to enact the pause because migrants from the countries in question “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.”
“The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the department <a href="https://x.com/StateDept/status/2011478657680757214">said</a>.
“The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival,” the statement continued. “We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.”
The freeze is scheduled to go into effect on January 21. The pause will not affect non-immigrant visas, nor temporary tourist or business visas, which allow people to come to the United States on a temporary basis.
The freeze comes after investigations and public reporting has raised the prospect that fraudsters in Minnesota, especially from the Somali community in the Twin Cities area, have bilked taxpayers for billions of dollars in social service funding.
The freeze is just the latest action taken by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to restrict the number of immigrants allowed into and residing in the United States. The Secretary has previously taken steps to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rubios-state-department-yanks-more-than-6k-student-visas-due-assault-burglary-support-terrorism">revoke</a> the visas of immigrants in the United States who have expressed support for terror groups or committed crimes.
The Trump administration has also <a href="https://time.com/7341347/travel-ban-immigration-countries/">restricted</a> the ability of residents of dozens of other countries to enter the United States. Last month, President Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/">order</a> adding 20 additional countries to a list that included 19 others setting restrictions and limits on nationals’ ability to travel to the United States. The countries on the restricted list include some in Latin America, such as Venezuela and Cuba.

Marco Rubio

State Department Freezes Immigrant Visas For 75 Countries Over ‘Unacceptable Rates’ Of Welfare

Immigration

State Department

The White House&#8217;s meeting with Denmark and Greenland on Wednesday did not change any minds on President Donald Trump&#8217;s push to acquire Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen spoke at a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn824zzp670t#player">press conference</a> alongside Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Denmark oversees Greenland&#8217;s defense while the territory is largely self-governing. In recent weeks, Trump has ramped up his push to make Greenland a territory of the United States for national security purposes.
The meeting on Wednesday was &#8220;frank and constructive,&#8221; but ultimately the sides agreed to disagree, with Denmark sticking firm to its &#8220;red lines,&#8221; according to Rasmussen.
&#8220;We, the Kingdom of Denmark, continue to believe that also the long-term security of Greenland can be ensured inside the current framework, the 1951 agreement on the defense of Greenland as well as the NATO treaty,&#8221; he said. &#8220;For us, ideas that would not respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable.&#8221;
&#8220;We therefore still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree,&#8221; Rasmussen added.
Motzfeldt said that it remains important for Greenland to &#8220;strengthen our cooperation with the United States, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that we want to be owned by the United States.&#8221;
Denmark and Greenland agreed to continue the discussions to see &#8220;if we can find a common way forward,&#8221; the Danish foreign minister said. The discussions are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Rasmussen said he agreed with the Trump administration&#8217;s concerns about the security situation in the Arctic, but added that he does not see China and Russia representing an &#8220;instant threat.&#8221;
&#8220;There&#8217;s no Chinese presence in Greenland, but there&#8217;s a concern: would that be the case in 10 or 20 years from now?&#8221; Rasmussen asked. &#8220;It will not because our Greenlandic friends have introduced investments &#8230; and Denmark is, by all means, on the right side of history.&#8221;
Trump disagrees and has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-greenland-is-non-negotiable-for-u-s-security?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Trump%3A+Greenland+Is+Non-Negotiable+For+U.S.+Security">argued</a> that if the United States doesn&#8217;t take control of Greenland, &#8220;Russia or China will.&#8221;
“The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it,&#8221; Trump said in a Truth Social post Wednesday morning. Trump argued that NATO would also be safer if the United States made a move on Greenland.
“NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable,&#8221; Trump said.
As Denmark and Greenland met with the White House, multiple NATO countries <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/european-nato-allies-expand-military-presence-around-greenland?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=European+NATO+Allies+Expand+Military+Presence+Around+Greenland">said</a> that they would expand their military presence around Greenland.

US-DENMARK-GREENLAND-DIPLOMACY-DEFENCE

Denmark Maintains ‘Fundamental Disagreement’ With Trump On Greenland After White House Meeting

Denmark Maintains 'Fundamental Disagreement' With Trump On Greenland After Meeting With Vance, Rubio

Denmark

Donald Trump

Greenland

JD Vance

Trump Administration

President Donald Trump argued on Wednesday morning that Greenland is &#8220;vital&#8221; for his plans to build a &#8220;Golden Dome&#8221; of defense to protect the United States as he ramps up his push for the United States to acquire the territory.
Trump also said that NATO would benefit from the United States controlling Greenland, arguing it would keep Russia and China at bay. The president made his early morning comments on Greenland as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepare to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmark-greenland-face-vance-high-stakes-meeting-2026-01-14/">meet</a> with Denmark&#8217;s and Greenland&#8217;s foreign ministers at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the Trump administration&#8217;s efforts to acquire the large territory. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with control over most domestic affairs, while Denmark has authority over foreign policy and defense.
&#8220;The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115893255826342514">wrote</a>.
&#8220;Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent — Not even close! They know that, and so do I,&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-reveals-new-details-about-golden-dome-missile-defense-system-to-protect-u-s">Golden Dome for America</a>&#8221; would set up a missile defense system encircling the United States, a much larger version of  Israel&#8217;s &#8220;Iron Dome.&#8221; The president hopes to complete the $175 billion defense project by the end of his term. Trump said the &#8220;Golden Dome&#8221; would complete the &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; defense plan conceived by former President Ronald Reagan. The first $25 billion for the plan was appropriated under Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Big, Beautiful Bill.&#8221;
“Once fully constructed, the golden dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space, and we will have the best system ever built,” Trump said in May.
In the past month, Trump has focused much of his attention on acquiring Greenland, an idea he floated a few times last year. On December 21, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-taps-republican-governor-as-special-envoy-to-greenland-make-greenland-a-part-of-the-u-s">appointed</a> Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry to serve as special envoy to Greenland, saying that Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.”
Trump told reporters at the White House last week that the United States would &#8220;do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not.&#8221; He said the United States would take control of Greenland the “easy way” — by making a deal — or the “hard way,” which he didn’t elaborate on. The White House has not ruled out using military force to achieve its goals with Greenland.
On Sunday, the president again <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-u-s-must-acquire-greenland-to-stop-russia-or-china-from-taking-control">stressed</a> the importance of the United States taking control of Greenland, adding that he was &#8220;not going to let&#8221; Russia or China invade the territory. Trump said he &#8220;would love&#8221; to make a deal with Denmark, which oversees Greenland, to acquire the territory. Leaders in Denmark and Greenland, however, have opposed Trump&#8217;s push to take control of Greenland.

Trump: Greenland Is Non-Negotiable For U.S. Security

U.S.

In 1823, President James Monroe stood before Congress and warned European powers that if they intervened in the American hemisphere, the United States would send them packing.
Two centuries after the great Virginian elucidated what came to be known as the Monroe Doctrine, his successor has launched a new standard for American foreign intervention, not with a speech, but with a series of decisive actions.
Over the past few months, President Donald Trump has ratcheted up American attacks on Venezuelan drug cartels, dubbing them “narcoterrorists” and striking their boats. Things reached a fever pitch earlier this month when an elite military unit captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and brought him to New York to stand trial for his crimes.
In a press conference following the daring early-morning raid in Caracas, Trump acknowledged that his approach to foreign policy went far beyond the tenets of the Monroe Doctrine.
“They now call it the ‘Donroe Doctrine,’&#8221; the president said. &#8220;American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.&#8221;
This was more than just another clever Trump-era nickname. In the first year of his second term, Trump has shed the isolationism that mostly defined his first administration, opting instead for targeted, precise foreign operations designed to topple or contain America’s enemies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—who has long warned about Latin America’s socialist regimes, transnational cartels, and foreign adversaries—has emerged as a central architect and enforcer of the doctrine.
What began with the use of “bunker buster” bombs on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities is now playing out in Central and South America, and Maduro may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Trump has <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/03/trump-venezela-mexico-00710063" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused</a> Colombian President Gustavo Petro of “making cocaine” and warned that he “does need to watch his a**” following Maduro’s capture. He’s warned Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that the United States may intervene if she can’t control the cartels running her country. And he’s pledged to cut Cuba off from its supply of Venezuelan oil, potentially setting the stage for intervention on the communist-ruled island.
The Donroe Doctrine sits between the isolationist and interventionist schools that have long vied for control of American foreign policy. Trump has long criticized American interventionism and does not view his actions as launching more long, unwinnable, resource-draining wars in faraway lands. He sees the Donroe Doctrine as asserting hemispheric hegemony through swift action.
But the Donroe Doctrine isn’t just speaking softly and carrying a big stick, as President Theodore Roosevelt once put it — it’s swinging that stick to assert American power across the Western Hemisphere.
“Operation Absolute Resolve,” the mission that led to Maduro’s capture, underscores this point. The massive joint strike launched from more than 20 bases, involving 150 aircraft, cyber operations to cripple Venezuelan defenses, and the coordinated use of special forces and helicopters to seize Maduro.
Trump did not mince words when he offered his explanation for the move: he wanted to stop the flow of drugs that are killing Americans and wanted U.S. oil companies the opportunity to rebuild in Venezuela after having their assets nationalized two decades ago.
Venezuela is ruled by a socialist regime allied with Russia, indebted to China, smuggling oil with Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions, and working with Hezbollah to launder money. It is no wonder, then, that Trump showcased American military might to intervene in Venezuela and assert the Monroe Doctrine.
To boil the Donroe Doctrine down to one sentence: bad actors in the Western Hemisphere will no longer operate with impunity.
The Donroe Doctrine is about more than combating bad actors, however. It also involves strategic plays that will benefit American interests, often advanced through the president’s trademark dealmaking mindset.
Consider Trump’s first major foreign policy move of this term: asserting influence over the Panama Canal.
In his inaugural address, Trump said he was “taking back” the canal, citing Chinese influence and accusing the United States of being “ripped off” by fees for using the canal it helped build. After intense diplomatic pressure, American military vessels gained priority and discounted transit, while efforts to curb Chinese influence, including the planned sale of two ports owned by a Hong Kong-based company to BlackRock, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/30/the-guardian-view-on-the-new-monroe-doctrine-trumps-forceful-approach-to-the-western-hemisphere-comes-at-a-cost#:~:text=Mr%20Trump's%20vociferous%20complaints%20about,the%20US%20investment%20firm%20BlackRock." target="_blank" rel="noopener">still underway</a>.
This month, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino <a href="https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/security/panama-president-mulino-says-crisis-with-the-us-is-over" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> last year’s crisis with the Trump administration officially over.
“Panama moved toward a relationship of respect, restored trust, joint work, and friendship, and the canal remained Panamanian, as it will indeed continue to be,” Mulino said to Panama’s National Assembly.
Trump’s pursuit of Greenland, which he says is vital for “national security” because of growing Russian and Chinese activity, is another example of the Donroe Doctrine in action. Greenland may be peaceful, but as an autonomous territory of Denmark, it relies on Copenhagen for defense — and Denmark can’t be trusted to fully secure such a strategic island.
Whether Trump seeks to annex Greenland or simply keep rivals away, he’s sending a clear message: every strategic corner of the Western Hemisphere matters under the Donroe Doctrine.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP-GOP

What Is The ‘Donroe Doctrine,’ President Trump’s New Foreign Policy?

Foreign Policy

Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded after dozens of memes flooded X with potential new jobs or responsibilities that President Donald Trump might ask him to take on.
&#8220;I do not normally respond to online rumors but feel the need to do so at this moment,&#8221; Rubio said in his own <a href="https://x.com/marcorubio/status/2009297348799942872">X post</a>. &#8220;I will not be a candidate for the currently vacant HC and GM positions with the Miami Dolphins. While you never know what the future may bring right now my focus must remain on global events and also the precious archives of the United States of America. Thank you.&#8221;
Rubio, who is currently the acting National Security Adviser in addition to holding the top post at the United States Department of State, was responding to memes suggesting he&#8217;d be put in charge of everything from the state of Minnesota to the nation of Venezuela.
One post suggested Trump would ask Rubio to cover his shift at McDonald&#8217;s, referencing the president&#8217;s wildly successful 2024 campaign stop.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rubio after learning that he has to cover Trump&#8217;s shift at McDonald&#8217;s. <a href="https://t.co/Pj3tcpPWDH">pic.twitter.com/Pj3tcpPWDH</a>
— Make America Meme Again (@meme4USA) <a href="https://twitter.com/meme4USA/status/2008582071032443200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
After an interaction between the Department of Homeland Security and a Hampton Inn refusing service to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — an interaction that quickly caused Hilton Hotels to cut ties with the franchise in question — several memes suggested Rubio would be tapped to <a href="https://x.com/JRand1685/status/2008266721598337123">run the hotel chain</a>.
&#8220;What shall we do with a Russian tanker, What shall we do with a Russian tanker, What shall we do with a Russian tanker, Early in the morning?” another post read, showing Rubio in pirate garb with a parrot on his shoulder.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🎶 “What shall we do with a Russian tanker, 
What shall we do with a Russian tanker, 
What shall we do with a Russian tanker, 
Early in the morning?” 🎶 <a href="https://t.co/nAY0AUZnbi">https://t.co/nAY0AUZnbi</a> <a href="https://t.co/3uZkftPGbK">pic.twitter.com/3uZkftPGbK</a>
— Benedict Spence (@BenedictSpence) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenedictSpence/status/2008938070079586484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A &#8220;Lord of the Rings&#8221; themed post put Rubio in the place of Frodo Baggins, tasking him with returning the One Ring to the fiery pit of Mordor.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“The ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.” <a href="https://t.co/RjMyefa4pF">pic.twitter.com/RjMyefa4pF</a>
— Elwë Singollo ❄️🧝🏻‍♀️ (@Strangeland_Elf) <a href="https://twitter.com/Strangeland_Elf/status/2008433894438416761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Trump&#8217;s about to disclose aliens and he&#8217;s sending Rubio to negotiate,&#8221; another posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
My contribution &#8211; Trump&#8217;s about to disclose aliens 👽 and he&#8217;s sending Rubio to negotiate. <a href="https://t.co/PiFBhwg5FL">pic.twitter.com/PiFBhwg5FL</a>
— Rizwan Virk (@Rizstanford) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rizstanford/status/2008760930340126861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And more &#8230;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rubio realizing he has to be the Governor of Minnesota. <a href="https://t.co/HPQ3uJ2u90">pic.twitter.com/HPQ3uJ2u90</a>
— Kyle Tibbitts (@KyleTibbitts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleTibbitts/status/2008346505455767937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rubio realizing he’s going to be president of Venezuela, governor of Cuba, and the Shah of Iran. <a href="https://t.co/wh5S2gpIi9">pic.twitter.com/wh5S2gpIi9</a>
— Antonio García Martínez (agm.eth) (@antoniogm) <a href="https://twitter.com/antoniogm/status/2007398586246672723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Would you consider being OC with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lions</a> ??? We need someone with the huevos to match Dan Campbell!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnePride?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnePride</a> <a href="https://t.co/cAUey7MGnF">https://t.co/cAUey7MGnF</a>
— Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepHuizenga/status/2009363082586505696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rubio Leaves Open Possibility of Becoming Miami&#8217;s Next QB <a href="https://t.co/DRuVKNCDbl">https://t.co/DRuVKNCDbl</a>
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AriFleischer/status/2009338320330031231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
So you’re saying there’s a chance. <a href="https://t.co/S1aPEVkecV">https://t.co/S1aPEVkecV</a> <a href="https://t.co/1Qq8jzQsS9">pic.twitter.com/1Qq8jzQsS9</a>
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimMurtaugh/status/2009303945814925672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Can you coach the <a href="https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AtlantaFalcons</a>? <a href="https://t.co/hZl6btWxAW">https://t.co/hZl6btWxAW</a>
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JudiciaryGOP/status/2009312710316769648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Fox News anchor John Roberts <a href="https://x.com/johnrobertsFox/status/2009306580102029570">responded</a> to Rubio, noting that he&#8217;d only ruled out jobs with the Miami Dolphins and suggesting he might be entertaining any number of others.
&#8220;You will note that he did not dispel rumors that he is a candidate for: Ravens head coach, President of Venezuela, Shah of Iran, President of Cuba, Prime Minister of Greenland, Governor of Minnesota,  CEO of Hilton Hotels,&#8221; Roberts posted. &#8220;Ruling out a job with the Dolphins doesn&#8217;t end the speculation &#8230;&#8221;
&#8220;I think we should probably make Rubio president in 2028 just to limit his power,&#8221; Abby Libby <a href="https://x.com/abbythelibb_/status/2008726373825990863">posted</a> in response to the memes.

President Trump Hosts Philippines President Marcos At White House

Rubio Responds After X Memes Give Him Dozens Of New Jobs

Memes

Politics

Social Media

The United States withdrew from dozens of left-leaning international organizations on Wednesday, including groups focused on climate and gender activism. 
President Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-international-organizations-conventions-and-treaties-that-are-contrary-to-the-interests-of-the-united-states/">executive order</a> on Wednesday officially pulling the United States out of 66 groups, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact. The withdrawals come after Trump, in February, directed a full review of the international organizations the United States was involved with. 
“These withdrawals keep a key promise President Trump made to Americans — we will stop subsidizing globalist bureaucrats who act against our interests,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio <a href="https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2009059107819671646">said</a>. “The Trump Administration will always put America and Americans first.”
The State Department said the organizations identified on the list were determined to be &#8220;wasteful, ineffective, and harmful&#8221; to American interests.
As a result of the executive order, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the United States would withdraw from the Green Climate Fund, a group established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that pushes climate activism in developing countries. 
“Our nation will no longer fund radical organizations like the GCF whose goals run contrary to the fact that affordable, reliable energy is fundamental to economic growth and poverty reduction,” Bessent <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0352">said</a>. 
The move to get out of the UN Climate groups was praised by critics of climate activism. 
&#8220;This action is a long overdue course correction that puts American sovereignty, economic strength, and energy security back first,” said American Energy Institute CEO Jason Isaac. “Withdrawing from international organizations that undermine U.S. interests frees our nation from unelected global bureaucracies that have used climate and ESG agendas to weaken American industry and raise costs for families.”
Other groups that the United States will no longer be involved in include the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Global Forum on Migration and Development, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Solar Alliance, and many more. 
The review of international organizations is still ongoing, according to the White House. Under Trump, the United States has already left groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council. 
“We will not continue expending resources, diplomatic capital, and the legitimizing weight of our participation in institutions that are irrelevant to or in conflict with our interests,” the State Department said. “We reject inertia and ideology in favor of prudence and purpose. We seek cooperation where it serves our people and will stand firm where it does not.”

President Trump Holds News Conference After US Captures Venezuelan President Maduro

Trump Pulls U.S. Out Of Dozens Of ‘Wasteful’ And ‘Radical’ International Organizations

Mass Exit: U.S. Leaves Dozens Of 'Wasteful' And 'Wasteful' International Organizations

Climate Change

United Nations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio jabbed at his former colleagues on Wednesday, saying that Senate Democrats were going to malign and second-guess President Donald Trump&#8217;s actions in Venezuela no matter what.
Rubio, flanked by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, responded to a reporter who said that Democrats on Capitol Hill had said the Trump administration was &#8220;winging it&#8221; with regard to Saturday&#8217;s attack on Venezuela and the simultaneous arrest and extradition of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 REPORTER: Dems say you&#8217;re WINGING Venezuela, you have no plan!
SEC. MARCO RUBIO: &#8220;Yeah, I know. They&#8217;re gonna say that. I used to be a senator too! That&#8217;s what you ALWAYS say!&#8221; 😂
&#8220;It&#8217;s not just speculating what&#8217;s gonna happen &#8211; IT&#8217;S ALREADY HAPPENING.&#8221; 🔥
WE LOVE MARCO <a href="https://t.co/dFiT7QF9ZK">pic.twitter.com/dFiT7QF9ZK</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2008943109930143834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hegseth appeared to have a good idea of what was coming, and could be seen ducking his head slightly and smiling in the background as the reporter asked the question.
&#8220;Yeah, I know. They&#8217;re gonna say that. I used to be a senator too! That&#8217;s what you always say when it&#8217;s the other party,&#8221; Rubio explained — and then said that the same people accusing him of &#8220;winging it&#8221; had actually been filled in on exactly what was happening.
&#8220;The bottom line is we&#8217;ve gone into great detail with them about the planning, we&#8217;ve described it to them, in fact, it&#8217;s not just winging it. It&#8217;s not just saying or speculating what&#8217;s gonna happen, it&#8217;s already happening. Like the oil arrangement that we&#8217;ve made with PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, SA) on their sanctioned oil that they can&#8217;t move — understand, they are not generating any revenue from their oil right now. They can&#8217;t move it unless we allow it to move because we have sanctions, because we&#8217;re enforcing those sanctions.&#8221;
&#8220;This is tremendous leverage,&#8221; Rubio continued, saying that the way things were playing out would ultimately benefit everyone involved, including both the Venezuelan people and any American interests.

Secretary Marco Rubio Meets With Ecuadoran Foreign Affairs Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld

Rubio Torches Democrats Who Say He’s ‘Winging It’ On Venezuela: ‘I Used To Be A Senator Too’

Senate Democrats

U.S. Senate

On Tuesday, CNN made clear that rumors of a serious split within the GOP are baseless.
CNN host John Berman discussed the situation with pollster Harry Enten.
“There&#8217;s been some talk about whether the president&#8217;s actions in Venezuela would create a rift among his supporters, whether it goes against his long-held, quote, ‘America first’ ideology. So, what are we seeing in the polling?” Berman asked.
“Let me be very clear, there is no rift in the Republican Party,” Enten replied bluntly. “Yes, there are some folks like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie who are quite skeptical of this. They are very much in the minority.”
“What are we talking about here?” he continued. “Well, why don&#8217;t we just talk to the GOP on the U.S. military ousting Maduro? Ipsos, 65% support, 6% opposed. How about ‘The Washington Post’ poll? 74% support. Just 10% opposed. If you look among 2024 Trump supporters, we&#8217;re talking about 80% support. The vast, vast majority of Republicans are with Donald Trump on this issue. Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene are very much in the minority.”
“The bottom line is this: Donald Trump has had an iron grip, an iron grip on that Republican base for a long period of time. And it is the same iron grip that he had six months ago,” Enten explained. “Look at this, 84% six months ago, 85% now. You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to know 85% and 84% are basically the same number. In fact, 85% is one point higher than 84%.”
“One of the ways you know that the Republican base is with the president on this issue is, look at those President Trump has delegated to be at least very much in charge,” Enten pointed out. “Just look at this: Google searches for Marco Rubio, up 575% from last month. We’re talking about the second-highest since he ran for president back in 2016. You know, we spoke about it last hour, how the American people view this at this point as a successful operation, considerably more so than did prior to the operation, backing, in fact, the ousting of Maduro. We now, of course, see as well that that success is being pushed onto Marco Rubio as well.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
🚨 BREAKING: CNN just SHOCKED the Left by confirming MAGA is not divided at all &#8211; not even a LITTLE BIT!
His GOP approval rating *WENT UP* in the last 6 months
&quot;Let me be very clear: NO RIFT in the Republican Party!&quot;
&quot;Trump has an IRON GRIP on the Republican base&#8230;85%!&quot;… <a href="https://t.co/6oqaGALLht">pic.twitter.com/6oqaGALLht</a>
&mdash; Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2008597603412308341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pollster Shreds GOP ‘Rift’ Narrative On Venezuela, Points To Trump’s ‘Iron Grip’ On Base

CNN poll

Officials in Denmark and Greenland have requested to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump has renewed his efforts to acquire Greenland.
Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen said separately that they had requested a meeting with Rubio. The officials said that similar meetings had been requested last year, but never granted.
“The strong request for a meeting is related to the U.S.&#8217;s claims about our country,” Motzfeldt said, according to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-military-option-acquiring-greenland-white-house-official/story?id=128960041">ABC News</a>. “Unfortunately, our country&#8217;s request for a meeting for a long time has not been successful, although this has been repeatedly requested by our country.”
Rasmussen said that the meeting would clear up “certain misunderstandings” related to Washington’s desire to acquire Greenland, according to <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260106-trump-considering-military-options-to-acquire-greenland">France 24</a>.
Trump has renewed his case for U.S. control of Greenland after the United States military last week successfully arrested and extradited Venezuela strongman Nicolás Maduro from his compound in Caracas. U.S. forces took Maduro to New York where he is set to stand trial on drug trafficking charges.
The White House issued a statement on Tuesday that said the administration is leaving open the option of “utilizing the U.S. military” as part of its acquisition strategy.
“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the White House said. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Monday that threats to involve the military are part of a bargaining strategy. Rubio said that Trump wants to purchase Greenland from Denmark, not invade it, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/us/politics/rubio-trump-greenland.html">The New York Times</a>.
Denmark has repeatedly pushed back against U.S. claims to the territory. On Tuesday, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland joined Denmark in issuing a joint statement against U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
Trump has insisted that Greenland is necessary for U.S. national security, especially to secure Arctic shipping lanes. Danish control of Greenland also cuts against the Monroe Doctrine against European interference in the Western hemisphere.

Denmark, Greenland Request Meeting With Rubio After Trump Revives Push For New Territory

Global Politics

World

Nicolas Maduro Transported To Court Hearing

Venezuela Has Been Dealt With. Somali Scammers Should Be Next.

Matt Walsh

Opinion

Pete Hegseth

Somalia

U.S. Military

Daniel DiMartino is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, one of the best think tanks in the country. But what qualifies him to write this piece is not his Ivy League economics degree, but rather the fact that he grew up in Venezuela, where he had a front-row seat to the brutal consequences of socialism.
DiMartino is just one of the millions of Venezuelans that fled Nicolas Maduro&#8217;s regime and were jubilant this weekend after the world learned that the United States had removed Maduro from power. I mean, just <a href="https://x.com/DanielDiMartino/status/2007460524137562395/video/1">listen to the joy in his voice</a> as he reacted to the news early Saturday morning. After hearing that, we knew we needed him to explain that joy to our audience at The Daily Wire.
For DiMartino, the joy is not about getting revenge on Maduro. it&#8217;s about hope for the future of Venezuela. We hope you enjoy. —Brent Scher
***
Venezuelans throughout the world are celebrating after this weekend’s perfectly executed U.S. military operation which captured narco-terrorist tyrant Nicolas Maduro. The morning I woke up to the news of Maduro’s capture was one that I had been dreaming of for my entire life as a Venezuelan who suffered under his regime.
This move by President Trump and his team provides justice, advances America’s and Venezuela’s interests, and could unleash prosperity like we have never seen before in the Western Hemisphere.
Venezuela has been ruled by Maduro’s socialist regime since I was born in 1999. The regime pillaged what was once the richest nation in Latin America. Millions of Europeans in the 1940s and 1950s sought opportunity in places like Caracas in the aftermath of World War II. Millions of Colombians crossed the border to Venezuela for safety from narco-terrorist Marxist guerrillas from the 1970s until the 1990s. Lebanese and Syrian Christians escaped to Venezuela in the 1960s after the Assad family’s takeover. And Americans routinely traveled to Venezuela for tourism and investment opportunities.
After more than two decades of a socialist regime that started out democratically and gradually took absolute power and rigged elections to remain in charge, Venezuela is starving. The country that once drew immigrants and exported oil bled millions of refugees and imports its own gasoline. The Maduro regime, once it ran out of oil, gold, and companies both foreign and domestic to steal, turned to drug trafficking to profit and fund their repression system.
Venezuela, if governed well with a free market economy, has the potential to be wealthier than nations like the United Arab Emirates or Kuwait. It has more oil and it is better positioned, both culturally and geographically.
That should explain why Venezuelans abroad are celebrating openly on social media and in the streets, with mass gatherings spotted all over the United States, but especially in the heart of the Venezuelan diaspora of Miami. Celebrations were held in Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Spain, and Chile, among other countries. The nine million strong Venezuelan diaspora forced into exile by socialism is celebrating this way because we know who Maduro is. We know what his regime did to our families, our economy, and our future. And we know that this moment, however fragile, represents something we were told we would never see: freedom and justice.
What Venezuelans feel today is not bloodlust or vengeance. It is relief. It is gratitude. And above all, it is hope. Gratitude toward the United States, a country that did not throw in the towel when diplomacy, sanctions, and international pressure all failed. Gratitude toward an America willing to defend its own interests while also standing on the right side of history. Gratitude to President Trump for following through on his promise, to Secretary of State Marco Rubio for standing for his values when it mattered, and to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and all the U.S. servicemen involved who executed an operation perfectly.
The Trump administration understands something many foreign-policy “experts” refuse to admit: Maduro never would have left power voluntarily. He only understands force. He could have chosen the easy life with all the stolen wealth in Moscow, but instead he opted for a New York City jail. Such is life.
But this victory does not mean the danger is over.
As Secretary Rubio acknowledged in multiple interviews, Maduro’s capture, while historic, does not instantly dismantle a criminal system that has entrenched itself in every institution of the Venezuelan state. His regime was never a one-man dictatorship; it is a narco-state network that includes generals, intelligence officials, judges, governors, and foreign terrorist allies. Tren de Aragua, Cuban spies, and Iranian operatives did not disappear overnight. The Venezuelan people inside Venezuela are happy, but scared of the regime.
The next phase matters just as much as the operation itself. A successful transition in Venezuela must be orderly but also relatively fast. The oligarchs in power: Delcy Rodriguez, the nominal vice president, her brother Jorge Rodriguez, Diosdado Cabello, and Vladimir Padrino Lopez, all participate in drug trafficking, terrorism, and are under sanctions and U.S. Department of Justice indictment.
The remaining Maduro cronies in power have the chance to do the right thing. One sign of a good faith transition in the coming weeks will be the release of hundreds of political prisoners, among them my friend Maria Oropeza, a young woman whose “crime” was observing election fraud and leading the opposition in her state. The other sign would be the puppet Supreme Court declaring an “absolute absence” of the president, which would trigger elections according to the socialist constitution. Such elections would allow the most popular leader in the country, Maria Corina Machado, to run, and she would win them by a landslide.
Only with a government led by Machado and not Maduro stooges can the United States guarantee that private oil companies will fork over the billions in investment required to revitalize the oil, electric, and water infrastructure. Exxon, Conoco Phillips, Shell, and BP won’t invest in a country whose government may take their property as soon as Trump leaves office, which is exactly what will happen if a transition isn’t finished by the time the Trump administration ends.
Economically, the upside of success in Venezuela is extraordinary. A post-Maduro Venezuela could become the greatest growth story in the Western Hemisphere’s history. With secure property rights, a privatized oil sector, and a free-market framework, Venezuela could once again attract global investment. Returning to pre-socialism oil production would mean three million barrels of oil per day in additional global output, lowering energy prices for everyday Americans.
A free and prosperous Venezuela would welcome millions of its people back home, stabilizing an entire region overwhelmed by mass migration. It would also weaken criminal networks like Tren de Aragua, reducing the flow of drugs and gang violence into the United States, saving American lives.
This is why President Trump’s decision was not just moral, it was strategic.
Critics predicted catastrophe, imperialism, and endless war. They have been wrong about Venezuela for 25 years, and about Trump for his entire political career. They were wrong when they excused Chávez. Wrong when they normalized Maduro. Wrong when they claimed sanctions alone would work. And wrong now, as they once again ignore the voices of actual Venezuelans in favor of “international law.”
I pray that history will remember this weekend as the moment the world’s longest-running socialist experiment collapsed under the weight of its crimes. For Venezuelans, it is the first real chance to rebuild a country that once welcomed the world, and can do so again.
Justice is here. Freedom is within reach. For the first time in my life, Venezuela’s future feels brighter than its past. I wish that so many people, including my immigrant grandparents, were alive to see this.
Thank you President Trump.
***
Daniel DiMartino is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

US-VENEZUELA-CONFLICT-MADURO

Why Venezuelans Are Dancing In The Streets

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Cuba is “a huge problem” and is “in a lot of trouble” after the Trump administration arrested Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela over the weekend.
Rubio appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday to explain and defend Saturday’s military operation to arrest Venezuela’s former president and extradite him to face trial in New York. The State secretary issued a warning to the Cuban regime, which was close to Maduro, as well.
“The Cuban government is a huge problem,” Rubio said when asked if Cuba is the “next target” after Venezuela. “I&#8217;m not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard, but I don’t think it’s any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime.”
Rubio pointed out that the Cuban government played a significant role in “propping up” Maduro as the illegitimate president of Venezuela. President Donald Trump’s first administration <a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-national-security-advisor-ambassador-john-bolton-venezuela/">declared</a> Maduro a “dictator” with an “illegitimate claim to power” in January 2019 following the previous year’s election “viewed internationally as not free, fair or credible.”
&#8220;One of the untold stories here is how, in essence – you talk about colonization because I think you said [Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez] mentioned that – the ones who have sort of colonized, at least inside the regime, are Cubans,” said Rubio. “It was Cubans that guarded Maduro. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards, he had Cuban bodyguards.”
“In terms of their internal intelligence, who spies on who inside to make sure there are no traitors, those are all Cubans,” he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Welker: Is the Cuban government the next target?
Rubio: The Cuban government is a huge problem
Welker: Is that a yes?
Rubio: I think they are in a lot of trouble. Yes <a href="https://t.co/ywgfKsbGWu">pic.twitter.com/ywgfKsbGWu</a>
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2007841895196873065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
Rubio’s comments followed some made on Saturday after the operation in which he said that Cuba had colonized Venezuela “from a security standpoint” because of the Cuban influence in Maduro’s security and intelligence community.
“If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned, at least a little bit,” <a href="https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2007520380903403721">said</a> Rubio on Saturday.
Cuba released a <a href="https://cubaminrex.cu/en/cubas-strong-condemnation-cowardly-us-aggression-against-venezuela-and-its-absolute-support-sister">statement</a> following the U.S. military operation, condemning Maduro’s capture and calling for his immediate release.
“This is a blatant imperialist and fascist aggression with objectives of domination, aimed at reviving U.S. hegemonic ambitions over Our America, rooted in the Monroe Doctrine, and at achieving unrestricted access to and control over the natural wealth of Venezuela and the region,” the statement said. “All nations of the region must remain alert, as the threat hangs over all.”
Trump and some of his top officials have suggested in the wake of the Venezuela operation that the Western hemisphere is the United States’ sphere of influence. In addition to Cuba, specific remarks and threats have been made toward Colombia and Mexico because of the influence of drug cartels on those countries, similar to Venezuela.

After Venezuela, Rubio Says Cuba Is ‘In A Lot Of Trouble’

Cuba

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