WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the ongoing bombing campaign in the Caribbean and the early departure of Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command.
“President Trump and his Administration continue to fail to answer pressing questions regarding the President’s orders to carry out lethal U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea. They have failed to demonstrate the legality of these strikes, provide transparency on the process used, or even a list of cartels that have been designated as terrorist organizations. We have also yet to see any evidence to support the President’s unilateral determinations that these vessels or their activities posed imminent threats to the United States of America that warranted military force rather than law enforcement-led interdiction.
“Press reports that two survivors from one of the air strikes are being repatriated to their countries raise further questions about the President’s claims that those who have been targeted by the strikes are terrorists. Amid weeks of skepticism as to the legality of these operations, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that Admiral Alvin Holsey, the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, is retiring less than one year into his tenure.
“Never before in my over 20 years on the committee can I recall seeing a combatant commander leave their post this early and amid such turmoil. I have also never seen such a staggering lack of transparency on behalf of an Administration and the Department to meaningfully inform Congress on the use of lethal military force.
“I call on Speaker Johnson to immediately bring the House back into session to not only work to end the Republican shutdown, but to also enable the committees to conduct critical oversight. The House Armed Services Committee must convene a hearing to secure answers to the questions about military operations in the Caribbean and for the SOUTHCOM Commander to testify on these matters. Speaker Johnson must call the House back into full session, which he has done on only two occasions since September 19th. It is time for House Republicans to return to the Capitol and negotiate with Democrats so that we can all get back to doing our jobs for the sake of our national security and national defense.”
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