Massie Attacks Trump
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is pushing back against the Trump administration’s handling of Venezuelan oil assets following the removal of longtime leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
Massie, a Republican known for his strict views on federal spending and constitutional authority, argues that the administration may be sidestepping Congress by controlling revenue from oil sales without legislative approval.
In a post on the social media platform X, Massie warned that proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales are being handled in a way that he believes violates the Constitution’s separation of powers.
“Only Congress can appropriate money,” Massie wrote, arguing that the executive branch does not have legal authority to manage large sums of revenue outside the normal budget process. He urged lawmakers to reassert their oversight role.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela would transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. According to Trump, the oil would be sold at market value, with the proceeds overseen by the president to ensure they are used in ways that benefit both Americans and the Venezuelan people.
Trump shared those remarks on Truth Social, emphasizing that the funds would remain under U.S. control.
Last week, the administration confirmed it had completed its first oil sale. Media reports indicate the transaction generated approximately $500 million. The revenue is reportedly being held in accounts controlled by the U.S. government, including at least one account located in Qatar.
Officials say additional sales may follow. The U.S. Department of Energy has indicated that Venezuelan oil could be sold on an ongoing basis and confirmed it is working with major global commodity firms and financial institutions to facilitate future transactions.
The White House responded forcefully to Massie’s criticism.
In a statement, spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended President Trump’s actions, crediting him with dismantling a hostile regime accused of fueling drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the United States. The statement dismissed Massie’s objections as misplaced and suggested voters are losing confidence in the Kentucky congressman.
The dispute underscores a broader debate within the Republican Party over executive authority, foreign assets, and Congress’s constitutional control over federal spending.
