Mike Baker

Brunt was tired of the workwear brands out there that are cutting corners.

You work too hard to be stuck in uncomfortable boots and gear that doesn't hold up.

So they simply built stuff better.

That's it.

Boots and clothing that are comfortable and tough.

Look, for a limited time, our PDB listeners can get $10 off at Brunt when you use code PDB at checkout.

Just head on over to bruntworkwear.com.

Use the code PDB and you're good to go.

And after you order, well, they'll ask where you heard about Brunt.

Tell them the PDB sent you.

Welcome back to the Afternoon Bulletin.

As the dust continues to settle after Nicolas Maduro's capture, CIA Director John Ratcliffe sat down with newly named Venezuelan President Delce Rodriguez in a high-stakes meeting in Caracas, signaling where the Trump administration is placing its confidence, at least in the short term.

Now, we touched on this meeting in today's PDB, but I wanted to dig just a bit deeper and explain why Washington is approaching this moment the way it is.

Here's what stands out.

Ratcliffe isn't just the most senior U.S.

official to travel to Caracas since Maduro was captured.

He's the first cabinet member to do it.

The visit came just 24 hours after President Trump spoke directly with Rodriguez by phone Thursday.

And on that same day, Trump hosted opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House.

Those moves offer a clear picture of how the administration is sequencing the moment.