Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) (Ambassador Kenneth J. Fairfax)
And the Russians at this particular juncture were signaling very strongly that they wanted to somehow make some very strange swap arrangement between Venezuela and Ukraine.... You know, you have your Monroe doctrine. You want us out of your backyard. Well, you know, we have our own version of this. You're in our backyard in Ukraine.... (Fiona Hill testimony before Congress October 14, 2019)
Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," framing this stance as a "Trump Corollary" to the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. He has emphasized a policy of U.S. preeminence in the region, asserting the Western Hemisphere as an area of core U.S. interest and influence.
Trump imagines himself an Emperor; no one within his regime has told him otherwise. Trump craves power and financial gain, and so far, the Oligarchs of the United States have assisted Him in gaining both. The Republican majority in Congress, preferring their own security above and beyond securing democracy, has laid down their responsibilities, acquiescing to Emperor Trump.
With this in mind, those who believe in democracy had better worry about Ukraine and Taiwan. Oh yeah, and start worrying about endless wars!
