The appointment of Marco Rubio as Viceroy of Venezuela is another deranged step taken by Donald Trump’s regime. It must not stand. It is an inherently imperialistic and royalist title (vice king) representing an imperialistic and illegal seizure of power over a sovereign nation. And, as Trump has been quite explicit in saying, the purpose has to do with the mineral wealth of Venezuela. Trump’s action is a clear and fundamental violation is the United Nations Charter and make the United States an outlaw regime in the community of nations.
Here is a short history lesson from Gemini on the topic of "viceroy".
FROM GEMINI:
PROMPT: Has the title of viceroy ever been used by the United States?
Officially, the United States has never used the title of "Viceroy" for any government position.
The term is fundamentally incompatible with the U.S. political system for two primary reasons:
- Constitutional Prohibition: Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution (the "Title of Nobility Clause") explicitly prohibits the federal government from granting titles of nobility.
- Definition of the Role: A "Viceroy" (literally "Vice-King") is a representative of a monarch. Since the United States is a republic with a system of popular sovereignty rather than a monarchy, there is no sovereign for a viceroy to represent.
Historical and Informal Context
While not an official title, the word "viceroy" has appeared in U.S. history in specific, non-governmental, or informal ways:
- Colonial History: Before the United States was formed, parts of the current U.S. (such as Florida and the Southwest) were governed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain. These viceroys reported to the King of Spain, not an American government.
- Informal Labels: Occasionally, the media or political critics use the term "viceroy" metaphorically or pejoratively to describe U.S. officials with broad, centralized power in occupied territories. For example, L. Paul Bremer, who led the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq (2003–2004), was frequently referred to by the press as the "Viceroy of Iraq," though his official title was Administrator.
- The "American Viceroy" (Alternative History): You may find references to a "Viceroy of America" in works of alternative history or fiction (such as "The Man in the High Castle" or online "Alt-History" wikis), where the U.S. is imagined as still being under British rule or having become a monarchy. These are not historical facts.
Similar (Official) U.S. Titles
When the U.S. administers territories or oversees foreign transitions, it uses titles that carry similar administrative weight but fit within a republican framework:
- Governor-General: Used historically in the Philippines (1905–1935) while it was a U.S. territory.
- High Commissioner: Used for various Trust Territories in the Pacific after WWII.
- Military Governor: Used during post-war occupations of Germany and Japan.
END OF GEMINI TEXT
What world are our political masters living in? What nightmarish thoughts are driving their worldview? In what universe does it make sense for a democratic republic to take over a sovereign country by military force and appoint a "viceroy" to govern it? And when will the people speak? When will our Congress open its eyes to the unhinged plans and actions of this government and exert its constitutional powers of restraint? Where are Wayne Morse, Ernest Gruening, and J. William Fulbright when we most need them?
Affirming Democracy, Gathering Resistance 
When I first saw the announcement, I really thought that I had stumbled onto The Onion. There is so much wrong here it is hard to get your head around it. It appears that even those around Trump have lost all internal checks.