Story perspectives

Concerns Grow Over Trump's Controversial Drug Strikes

11/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

The senior military lawyer for U.S. Southern Command raised concerns that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump conducted strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela that could amount to extrajudicial killings.
Higher officials, including the Justice Department, overruled his views.
Democrats and Republicans in Congress criticized the lack of information about the strikes' legal rationale.
Since September, 82 people have been killed in 21 strikes.

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Story summary

The senior military lawyer for U.S. Southern Command raised concerns that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump conducted strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela that could amount to extrajudicial killings.
Higher officials, including the Justice Department, overruled his views.
Democrats and Republicans in Congress criticized the lack of information about the strikes' legal rationale.
Since September, 82 people have been killed in 21 strikes.