On Wednesday night, two Republican senators broke ranks with their party in an attempt to stop President Donald Trump from launching military strikes against a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. The proposed bill, backed by several Senate Democrats alongside Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, aimed to curb Trump’s military authority. The senators argued that the administration hadn’t adequately justified such military actions against drug cartels, reminding that declaring war is a power reserved for Congress. Despite this bipartisan push, the bill failed as most Americans appear to support Trump’s efforts to destroy ships bringing drugs into the country.
Interestingly, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also threw his support behind Trump’s military actions regarding drug trafficking.
The Trump administration has classified multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and has started armed confrontations with traffickers trying to smuggle drugs into the U.S. In recent weeks, the president carried out four military strikes against a vessel linked to the Venezuelan drug cartel Tren de Aragua, resulting in at least 21 casualties from these airstrikes.
These strikes have gained traction among many Americans, with a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll indicating that about 71% support destroying drug boats.
The White House has urged party members to dismiss the War Powers Resolution, asserting that the military strikes fall within Trump’s executive powers. It remains uncertain whether House Speaker Mike Johnson will allow a similar resolution to be voted on; even if it were to pass, it’s likely Trump would veto it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters, emphasized that Trump has the authority to order these targeted strikes in response to imminent threats. He warned that stripping the president of this power, as the resolution suggests, could endanger Americans. According to Rubio, drug cartels, especially from Mexico and Venezuela, are responsible for more deaths among Americans than any other foreign adversaries.
Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina criticized the Democrats for advocating a resolution that could continue allowing harmful drugs to flood into the country. He asserted Trump’s leadership is vital for national security and is saving lives.
It’s worth mentioning that amidst this conflict, two Republican senators expressed concern over the president’s ability to attack suspected drug-trafficking vessels. Senator Paul pointed to Coast Guard statistics indicating that there’s a 25% chance that such vessels may not actually be carrying drugs, raising ethical questions about military strikes in these scenarios.
Paul also contested the morality of executing individuals without proof of their crimes, likening the sentiment to a disregard for due process. His colleague, Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio, countered by accusing Paul of prioritizing foreign drug traffickers over American citizens suffering from drug-related issues.
Meanwhile, many Senate Democrats argue that Trump’s military actions are unconstitutional. Senator Bernie Sanders voiced concerns about the potential for any president to unilaterally instigate war, emphasizing the need for Congressional oversight. Senator Adam Schiff echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the resolution points to insufficient information regarding the vessels targeted and their potential threat to national interests.
