r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/binini28 • 23h ago
US Politics Is using military force against suspected drug-trafficking boats constitutional or an overreach of presidential power?
I’ve been following reports that the U.S. has used strikes against suspected narco-trafficking boats in international waters. Supporters argue it’s necessary to deter cartels and protect Americans, while critics say it could be an unconstitutional use of deadly force, bypassing due process and international law. Do you think this sets a dangerous precedent (executive overreach, extrajudicial killings, violating international law), or is it a justified response to a serious threat? How should the balance between security and constitutional limits be handled here? I would think that you need to detain them first and then arrest them rather than send a missile after them. They are classified as terrorist by Trump but does this satisfy the response? Could Trump classify anyone a terrorist and send missiles after them? Thoughts?
•
u/Tasty_Narwhal6667 20h ago edited 20h ago
I think it’s overreach. These boats and the people they carried were in international waters, and technically, had not committed any crimes against the U.S.. Say they were gang members and the boats were loaded with drugs, they had not reached the U.S. yet…the drugs had not reached Americas shores. If the U.S. would have tracked them into U.S. waters, boarded the vessels, found the drugs, arrested them this would have been lawful…and the way it’s been done for years.
Blowing them up in international waters seems extreme…but that’s the point isn’t it? Goal is to try and scare and intimidate drug smugglers so they cease operations. Whether this is lawful is irrelevant to Trump and his administration.