There have been 10 known U.S. strikes on boats off the coast of North America, resulting in nearly four dozen deaths. A Reuters reporter noted that the “Pentagon has released little evidence of what the vessels were allegedly carrying and why they couldn’t simply be interdicted.”
Now, some Republicans are growing increasingly concerned. The New York Times reported on Friday that certain Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), have expressed their worries. More Republicans are starting to question the ongoing operations in the waters off the Americas.
“We have oversight responsibilities, and we expect to get our questions answered,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said in a statement this week. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also emphasized the importance of congressional involvement, stating, “This is a legitimate discussion between the two branches of government that we should always be having.” He hopes to initiate talks on congressional authorization of the use of force. “I think we’ve got to be very careful when you’re talking about ordering a kinetic strike,” Tillis told The Times.
While these leaders express concerns about the indiscriminate bombing of boats, all three voted against a recent measure calling for a halt to the strikes.
Meanwhile, a family in Trinidad and Tobago alleges that one of the U.S. strikes did not target drug runners, as President Trump claims. Instead, they believe their relative, who was moving back home, was on one of the boats hit. The family insists he was a fisherman, not involved in drug trafficking.
Some Republicans support the operations but want more information regarding the legal justification. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) stated, “We’re always hungry for more” information from the Trump administration. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) expressed confidence that the administration had a valid rationale but added, “As new facts develop, I may or may not have more questions.”
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) is among those concerned about the strikes’ legality and the wider implications of military actions without congressional approval. Despite his concerns, he voted against the measure to stop the strikes. “While the Constitution grants Article II authorities to the executive branch to defend against imminent threats, Congress alone is entrusted with decisions of war and peace,” Young said in a social media post.
President Trump has characterized the situation as a war on the United States, which would legally require him to seek congressional approval before officially declaring war. The Times noted, “Mr. Trump has made it clear that he plans to expand the military campaign to airstrikes on countries that harbor cartel operations, including Venezuela. And despite repeatedly calling the operation a war, he said he would not seek congressional approval.”
So far, the only Republicans openly opposing the strikes have been Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY).
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