Senate Leader Defends U.S. Military Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker
President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
On Thursday, Senator James Lankford defended the U.S. military’s seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela following the release of new video by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The tanker is suspected of transporting sanctioned oil in violation of U.S. measures targeting the Venezuelan regime.
“It is entirely appropriate,” the Oklahoma Republican said on Thursday, calling Venezuela’s leader an illegitimate dictator recognized only by Russia and China.
He accused the regime of oppressing its people, fueling illegal immigration to the United States, running drugs, and using oil revenue to “sponsor their terrorist activities.”
Lankford stated that the move demonstrates Washington is finally enforcing sanctions that have been in place for years.
“They have been sanctioned for years now,” he noted. “We’re actually implementing those sanctions and saying that, no, you really can’t do this.”
