Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is calling out President Donald Trump for what he describes as an unconstitutional use of seized Venezuelan oil, accusing the president of bypassing Congress and setting up what amounts to a personal overseas fund.
“Selling stolen oil and putting billions of dollars in a bank in Qatar to be spent without Congressional approval is not Constitutional,” Massie wrote on X.
“Only Congress can appropriate money.”
Seized Oil and a New Revenue Stream
Earlier this month, the U.S. carried out a military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.
Following the operation, the Trump administration seized oil tankers and announced that Venezuela would be “turning over” up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, according to the BBC.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”
Massie blasted the move, saying the president “can’t legally create a second Treasury overseas for his own piggy bank.” He added, “Wake up Congress.”
First Sale Brings in $500 Million
The administration said it completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, netting about $500 million, with funds reportedly held in U.S.-controlled accounts, including one in Qatar, according to Fox Business.
The Energy Department said sales could continue “indefinitely” and that they are working with major commodity marketers and banks to support the process.
Supporters Defend Trump’s Actions
Trump’s supporters argue the seized oil and the resulting funds are justified, claiming Venezuela had expropriated U.S. oil assets in the past.
“Venezuela expropriated American oil property and until recently used that stolen property to get rich and fund their narcoterrorist activities,” Vice President JD Vance posted on X.
Experts Say Legal Claims Are Oversimplified
However, experts say the situation is more complex. Venezuela nationalized its oil industry in 1976 and asserted state control over foreign-owned assets in 2007 under Hugo Chavez.
In 2019, a World Bank tribunal ordered Venezuela to pay $8.7 billion in compensation to ConocoPhillips.
That payment has not been made, but international law still recognizes oil as the property of sovereign nations.
BBC Verify noted that claims Venezuela “stole” U.S. oil oversimplify the legal reality, stating that natural resources under sovereign control were never U.S.-owned.
A Long-Running Feud Between Massie and Trump
Massie’s criticism is part of an ongoing feud with Trump.
He has been one of the few Republicans openly pushing back on Trump’s use of executive power, particularly in matters involving military actions and foreign spending.
Trump has since endorsed a primary challenger against Massie, though the Kentucky congressman easily won his district’s GOP primary in 2024 with 76% of the vote.
Oil Reserves, Investment, and Skepticism
The Trump administration sees huge potential in Venezuela’s oil sector.
The country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but its production has been in steep decline for decades.
Trump said U.S. companies could restore operations and that he expected Venezuela’s oil industry to be “up and running” within 18 months.
Industry analysts remain skeptical. Restoring Venezuela’s oil infrastructure could take tens of billions of dollars and up to a decade.
The oil is also heavy and costly to refine, limiting its immediate impact on the global market.
Only one major U.S. oil company, Chevron, currently operates in Venezuela.
Other companies like ConocoPhillips and Exxon have exited and say they’re closely monitoring developments.
China Pushes Back on U.S. Intervention
China, which has been Venezuela’s top oil customer in recent years, condemned the U.S. military intervention and oil deal.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the U.S. actions a “typical act of bullying” and a “serious violation of international law.”
She emphasized that China’s cooperation with Venezuela is between two sovereign nations and must be respected.
Exclusive Oil Partnership Demands Raise Eyebrows
Meanwhile, Trump has reportedly pushed Venezuela’s new interim leadership to sever economic ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, demanding an exclusive oil partnership with the U.S.
According to ABC News, Trump made these demands directly to interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in after Maduro’s removal and extradition to the U.S. on drug-trafficking and weapons charges.
In defending the oil transfer and sale, Trump told NBC News:
“Having a Venezuela that’s an oil producer is good for the United States because it keeps the price of oil down.”
But Massie insists that none of it gives the executive branch authority to manage funds independently.
His message to Congress is: “Wake up.”
IMAGE CREDIT: “President Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.