Col Doug Macgregor: Pres Trump "Call This Thing Off w/Venezuela"

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Col Doug Macgregor argues President Trump should call off any intervention in Venezuela, citing the U.S.’s huge national debt (~$38T), a fragile economy and financial system, and the high cost/risk of intervention.

Instead, the priority should be fixing domestic problems — e.g., cracking down on fentanyl and port corruption (example: a major fentanyl seizure and arrests at a Michigan port) — and reinforcing law-enforcement and anti-smuggling actions at home.

The speaker warns Trump risks appearing weak or being driven by ego if he withdraws forces after publicly implying action; that political cost may tempt a kinetic response even if it’s unwise.

On strategy: the current national security document is criticized as not a real strategy — it lists ideas but lacks a clear framework for action, priorities, or concrete ways to protect vital U.S. interests.

A proper strategy, the speaker says, should: identify and rank vital interests, define how to protect them (military and commercial), and prioritize “America first” uses of force — especially focusing on the Western Hemisphere and avoiding exporting democracy by force.

Military reform recommendations: reduce bureaucratic overhead, cut unnecessary overseas bases, preserve/target the industrial base, and shift toward high-lethality, low-density forces rather than costly heavy formations.

The speaker is skeptical of overhyping AI for warfare (cites Pentagon announcement about large AI rollout). He warns against treating AI as a panacea, repeating past mistakes of over-investing in unproven, expensive “super” programs (e.g., Future Combat Systems), and recommends cautious experimentation.

On modernization and tech: innovation should be pragmatic — avoid hinging strategy on “perfect” intelligence or a single breakthrough; diversify capabilities (lesson from Arthur C. Clarke’s “Superiority”).

Broader domestic concerns to fold into national security: education, workforce readiness, and commercial strength (since economic power links to military power).

Overall tone: advocate for restraint abroad, concentrated reform at home and in the military, skeptical/tempered adoption of expensive techno-solutions, and clearer strategic thinking rather than rhetorical documents.