The U.S. pumps more oil than any other country. So why do President Trump and officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, think American refineries need Venezuelan crude?
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
America produces plenty of oil, so any mention of Venezuelan crude must be political theater. That framing skips the real issue, which is not “do we pump oil,” but whether Washington is setting rules that let our energy system run without feeding hostile regimes. Yes, refineries were built for certain blends, and heavier crude can be part of that mix.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
While the shale drilling boom has unleashed a flood of oil from places like West Texas and North Dakota, it is often not the right kind of crude for American refiners.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
America produces plenty of oil, so any mention of Venezuelan crude must be political theater. That framing skips the real issue, which is not “do we pump oil,” but whether Washington is setting rules that let our energy system run without feeding hostile regimes.
Yes, refineries were built for certain blends, and heavier crude can be part of that mix. But the answer should not be a quiet slide back into dependence on Caracas. If our infrastructure needs different inputs, we should fix the incentives at home, approve upgrades, and expand access to compatible supplies from reliable allies, not dictators.
This is about energy security, public trust, and rule of law in sanctions policy. A serious America First approach prioritizes domestic capacity and stable supply chains, because leverage is a national asset, not a loophole.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.