Senate Dems seek declassification of DOJ memo on boat strikes
Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee have requested the declassification and public release of a Justice Department memo that outlines the legal justification for U.S. military strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean.The memo, issued by the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel on september 5, explains the legal basis for these strikes authorized by the Trump administration, which claims authority under the designation of a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels. The Democrats argue that releasing the memo is vital for clarity and to ensure Congress and the public are fully informed about the use of lethal force. They also cite precedents where similar legal opinions were made public following U.S. military actions in Libya and Syria. This request comes amid ongoing concerns about the president’s authority to conduct such strikes without explicit congressional approval. Over 20 strikes have targeted vessels primarily originating from Venezuela’s shores. The letter urging disclosure was signed by thirteen senators, including Richard Blumenthal, Tim Kaine, Elizabeth Warren, and others.
Senate Democrats seek declassification of DOJ memo on drug vessel strikes
Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and War Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting the public release of the Justice Department’s written opinion on the strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean.
The 13 committee minority members requested the “expeditious declassification and public release” of the Sept. 5 memo, which detailed the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel’s legal basis for the strikes.
“Few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force. We therefore believe that the declassification and public release of this important document would enhance transparency in the use of deadly force by our Nation’s military and is necessary to ensure Congress and the American people are fully informed of the legal justification supporting these strikes,” the senators wrote.
The letter comes as lawmakers have pushed back on President Donald Trump’s authorized strikes in the Caribbean, raising alarm bells over whether the president has the authority to strike foreign vessels without congressional approval.
The signing senators pointed to a historical precedent for the release of military-related opinions.
“Significant and noteworthy precedent exists for the public release of OLC opinions related to overseas military action. After the United States carried out military strikes in Libya in 2011 and in Syria in 2018 the Department of Justice released the applicable OLC opinion justifying each operation,” the senators wrote.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) each signed the letter.
US FORMALLY DESIGNATES CARTEL LINKED TO MADURO AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The U.S. military has carried out over 20 strikes on alleged drug-carrying vessels in the U.S. Southern Command area of control, with many of the vessels coming from the shores of Venezuela.
The Trump administration has maintained that the strikes have all been carried out legally under Trump’s authority. Trump has declared the United States to be in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels.
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