WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement in response to today's classified briefing with Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley on a follow-up strike in the SOUTHCOM region on September 2nd.
“Today’s classified briefing with Admiral Bradley reinforced the questions and concerns about the legality, appropriateness, and assumptions behind the September 2nd strikes and subsequent strikes that have occurred against boats the administration alleges are affiliated with drug cartels in the last four months.
“While I appreciate Admiral Bradley’s service and willingness to speak candidly with the Armed Services Committee about the September 2nd strikes, the committee should also hear directly from Secretary Hegseth, in a public hearing, to explain the policy, strategy, and legality of the military’s operations against drug cartels. Furthermore, the Department should provide congressional defense committees with copies of the execute orders related to these military operations, as required by law, as well as publicly release the video of the September 2nd follow-on strike.
“There is no question that illicit drugs are a major problem in the United States, but there are many questions about this approach to that problem. Is it really going to have any impact on the drugs coming in? As of now, we don’t know and there’s been no clarity on that point. This is an enormous expansion of the president’s power to use lethal force without due process or an authorization from Congress and should be deeply concerning to all Americans. Further, given the president’s recent pardons of major drug dealers, we have to ask if the purpose of this operation is really designed to get after the drug problem or is this an attempt to launch a war against Venezuela to push regime change?
“I am hopeful that my Republican colleagues will join HASC Democrats in calling for this full accounting in the interest of ensuring our military adheres to the law and our standing in the world.”
“Today’s classified briefing with Admiral Bradley reinforced the questions and concerns about the legality, appropriateness, and assumptions behind the September 2nd strikes and subsequent strikes that have occurred against boats the administration alleges are affiliated with drug cartels in the last four months.
“While I appreciate Admiral Bradley’s service and willingness to speak candidly with the Armed Services Committee about the September 2nd strikes, the committee should also hear directly from Secretary Hegseth, in a public hearing, to explain the policy, strategy, and legality of the military’s operations against drug cartels. Furthermore, the Department should provide congressional defense committees with copies of the execute orders related to these military operations, as required by law, as well as publicly release the video of the September 2nd follow-on strike.
“There is no question that illicit drugs are a major problem in the United States, but there are many questions about this approach to that problem. Is it really going to have any impact on the drugs coming in? As of now, we don’t know and there’s been no clarity on that point. This is an enormous expansion of the president’s power to use lethal force without due process or an authorization from Congress and should be deeply concerning to all Americans. Further, given the president’s recent pardons of major drug dealers, we have to ask if the purpose of this operation is really designed to get after the drug problem or is this an attempt to launch a war against Venezuela to push regime change?
“I am hopeful that my Republican colleagues will join HASC Democrats in calling for this full accounting in the interest of ensuring our military adheres to the law and our standing in the world.”
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