President Donald Trump built his "America first" brand of populist politics largely on criticism of efforts at regime change in other countries, with a special focus on the war in Iraq.

Fundamental to Trump's "Make America Great Again" ethos was his promise to end "forever wars," which was embraced by his supporters who still adhere to that call to isolationism a decade later.

So I have to wonder what his MAGA base thinks now, as Trump pushes America closer and closer to war with Venezuela, and his growing fixation on regime change – and oil – in that South American country.

Trump, on Dec. 18, told NBC News that a war between America and Venezuela is possible while not-so-slyly hinting that his focus on that country's oil was linked to the potential for regime change there. He sounded more like a venture capitalist plotting a corporate takeover than an American president looking out for his country.

Consider how far we've come since early September, when the U.S. military launched a series of strikes on boats traveling from Venezuela. Trump initially tried – unsuccessfully – to camouflage his desire to attack Venezuela as an interdiction of illegal drugs.

But last week, he made it clear:

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