1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express deep concern over recent reporting that suggests U.S. foreign policy decisions may be influenced by personal grievances rather than national interest or democratic principles. According to multiple reports, former President Donald Trump declined to support Maria Machado’s leadership in Venezuela not due to policy disagreement, democratic legitimacy, or strategic considerations, but because she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, an award he has openly stated he believes he deserved. If accurate, this is not only embarrassing, it is dangerous. Foreign policy is not a vanity project. Support for democratic movements abroad should never hinge on personal ego, resentment, or perceived slights. Decisions that affect millions of people, especially those living under authoritarian regimes, must be rooted in U.S. law, democratic values, and strategic stability. Anything else undermines American credibility and weakens our position on the global stage. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight of the executive branch, including foreign policy conduct. I urge you to investigate whether personal motivations have influenced official or unofficial diplomatic decisions and to reaffirm that U.S. support for democracy is not conditional on flattery or personal loyalty. The American people deserve governance grounded in seriousness, accountability, and respect for democratic norms. I ask that you act accordingly.