Jack Reed: “American journalists are not, should not, and must not be mere stenographers for the party in power or the Pentagon…”

The President has waged this war without public support or congressional consent, and it is far past time for accountability.

Still, this episode highlights the impulsive and dysfunctional civilian leadership from the White House and U.S. Department of Defense.

President Trump’s effort to turn the U.S. military into an investor in Venezuelan oil is a blatant abuse of power and taxpayer dollars.

His administration removed Nicolás Maduro from power, threw its weight behind the unelected leadership that replaced Maduro, and is now attempting to use U.S. military assets and taxpayer-backed financing to boost a private oil venture.