Wars without clear purpose erode presidential legacies, and Trump risks political consequences with further military action in Venezuela

President Donald Trump should take notice: From Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush, history shows leaders often pay a high political price when wars they start or expand become unpopular.

By: Charles Walldorf, Wake Forest University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 13, 2026

Words: 1,449

Last Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago

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By Charles Walldorf, Wake Forest University

Despite public support in the U.S. for deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump is unlikely to find that level of support for fighting an actual war in that country.

Even as Trump tries to work through Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president and now the acting leader of the country, to manage Venezuela, there are echoes of President George W. Bush in Iraq with Trump saying …

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