{"id":2400899,"date":"2025-02-10T07:55:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T12:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-lee-setting-stage-for-us-citizens-themselves-to-declare-war-on-drug-cartels-keep-spoils\/"},"modified":"2025-02-10T07:56:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T12:56:55","slug":"mike-lee-setting-stage-for-us-citizens-themselves-to-declare-war-on-drug-cartels-keep-spoils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-lee-setting-stage-for-us-citizens-themselves-to-declare-war-on-drug-cartels-keep-spoils\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Lee Setting Stage for US Citizens Themselves to Declare War on Drug Cartels, Keep Spoils"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmike-lee-setting-stage-for-us-citizens-themselves-to-declare-war-on-drug-cartels-keep-spoils%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2400899&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Mike Lee, a\u2064 Republican from Utah, \u200chas\u200c proposed \u2063using &#8220;letters of marque and \u2064reprisal,&#8221; a\u2064 constitutional \u2062concept that has not been utilized in over a century, to combat Mexican drug cartels. This method woudl grant private citizens the authority to act against these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/9-shot-during-a-wake-in-central-mexico\/\" title=\"9 shot during a wake in central Mexico\">criminal organizations<\/a>, allowing\u2062 them to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/guatemalas-president-says-biden-is-letting-in-drugs-from-venezuela-to-negotiate-oil\/\" title=\"Guatemala&#039;s President Says Biden Is Letting in Drugs From Venezuela to &quot;Negotiate Oil&quot;\">intercept drug shipments<\/a> and\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meta-will-allow-solicitation-of-human-smuggling-on-its-platforms\/\" title=\"Meta Will Allow Solicitation of Human Smuggling on Its Platforms\">human trafficking operations<\/a>.\u200b Lee argues that such privateers could operate more effectively \u2062and flexibly than the\u2062 military, potentially capturing resources and disrupting cartel operations while\u200b offering \u200brewards\u200b to those\u2064 prosperous in these tasks. However,he acknowledges \u2063that this\u200d idea may face \u2062criticism and \u200bhighlights the \u2063increased threat from cartels,which are reportedly enhancing their technological \u200ccapabilities. The senator emphasizes the \u2064urgency in addressing\u2063 these threats to national security without intending to escalate conflict with Mexico.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee has an unconventional but entirely constitutional idea for how our country can take on the Mexican drug cartels.<\/p>\n<p>The lawmaker noted last month on social media that Congress has the authority to issue &ldquo;letters of marque and reprisal,&rdquo; essentially turning American citizens into privateers to combat the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-mexican-drug-cartel-leader-transferred-new-york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal<\/a> syndicates ferrying drugs and trafficking humans across the southern border.<\/p>\n<p>Lee explained that letters of marque and reprisal are &ldquo;government-issued commissions that authorize private citizens&rdquo; to perform acts that &ldquo;would otherwise be considered piracy, like attacking enemy ships during wartime.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">&#129525; 1\/ What Are Letters Of Marque And Reprisal And How Could They Be Used To Weaken Drug Cartels? &#128680; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0EeQigzVYm\">pic.twitter.com\/0EeQigzVYm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BasedMikeLee\/status\/1883953109443174581?\">January 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>  Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to issue the letters of marque and reprisal, although &ldquo;Congress hasn&rsquo;t issued one in over a century.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>But Lee observed that &ldquo;the authority to do so still exists.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Congress could allow &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/warning-for-america-the-four-steps-of-marxist-takeover-were-activated-in-2020\/\" title=\"Warning for America: The Four Steps of Marxist Takeover Were Activated in 2020\">private security firms<\/a> or specially trained civilians to intercept cartel operations, particularly those involving drug shipments or human trafficking across borders.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The intent would be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/cartel-boss-dead-cockfight-turns-bloody-disaster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">disrupting<\/a> supply lines, or even capturing boats, vehicles, cash, gold, and equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Americans who successfully complete those operations would receive a cut of the loot as payment.<\/p>\n<p>The privateers would enjoy more flexibility than the American military, since privateers &ldquo;operate with more agility than the government, adapting quickly with the tactics of cartels.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The plan would also &ldquo;reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But Lee acknowledged that the plan would not necessarily be well-received by everyone.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The use of letters of marque and reprisal would undoubtedly draw criticism, especially from those inclined to elevate abstract, often-inchoate principles of what they deem &lsquo;international law&rsquo; above the sovereign interests of the United States,&rdquo; he continued.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, Lee made clear that &ldquo;we have no desire to go to war with our southern neighbor,&rdquo; although our country is constantly dealing with threats from the syndicates, such as the fact that &ldquo;drug cartels are now threatening to target U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">planes deporting illegal aliens<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The cartels, empowered by four years of open borders, are indeed developing technological capabilities that make them a greater threat than ever to American sovereignty and the safety of our people.<\/p>\n<p>Some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/cartels-adopted-dangerous-technology-outsmart-biden-officials-now-trumps-sending-military\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reports<\/a> show that the cartels are now using signal jammers to block American drones that monitor the border.<\/p>\n<p>The traffickers can therefore detect unmanned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/surveillance-jet-makes-unprecedented-run-along-mexican-cartel-coast-trump-preparing-strike\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aircraft<\/a>, disrupt the signal between the drone and the operator, then cause the drone to crash or improperly function.<\/p>\n<p>America faces greater challenges to our national security and prosperity than ever.<\/p>\n<p>But whether our military or our people take on these threats, it&rsquo;s abundantly clear that they must be quickly handled with overwhelming resolve.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ]; 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He mentioned on social media last month that Congress can issue &#8220;letters of marque and reprisal,&#8221; which would allow American citizens to act as privateers against the criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling across the southern border. Lee clarified that these letters are government-issued commissions permitting private individuals to engage in actions typically deemed piracy, such as attacking enemy vessels during wartime. Although Congress hasn&#8217;t issued such letters in over a century, Lee emphasized that this authority still exists. He suggested that Congress could permit private security firms or trained civilians to disrupt cartel operations, particularly those related to drug shipments or human trafficking, potentially capturing assets like vehicles and cash while offering a share of the spoils as compensation for successful missions. This approach could provide more agility than military operations and lessen taxpayer burdens, though it may face criticism from those prioritizing international law over U.S. interests. Despite this, Lee stressed there is no intention of waging war with Mexico while acknowledging ongoing threats from cartels targeting U.S. deportation flights and employing advanced technology like signal jammers against American drones monitoring the border<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2400900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cartels.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[16097,39360,35410,34694,50119],"class_list":["post-2400899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-law-enforcement","tag-drug-cartels","tag-mike-lee","tag-us-citizens","tag-war-on-drugs"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cartels.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2400899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2400899"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2400899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2400903,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2400899\/revisions\/2400903"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2400900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2400899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2400899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2400899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}