A tense briefing in the US Congress ended abruptly when House Democratic lawmakers walked out, outraged by the absence of legal counsel who could explain the legal basis for the recent military strikes ordered by President Donald Trump. against alleged drug trafficking ships in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The meeting, called by the Armed Services Committee, was attended by officials from the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but did not include lawyers, which generated frustration among members of Congress. “There were no lawyers and it was unsatisfactory,” representative Gil Cisneros (California) declared to Axios. His colleague Jason Crow (Colorado) added: “I leave without understanding how and why they came to the conclusion that the use of legal force is appropriate in this case.”
Lawmakers have for months questioned the legality of the attacks, which have left at least 57 dead, and are demanding concrete evidence that the targets were indeed drug traffickers.
The administration has defended the actions as part of a campaign against “narcoterrorists,” especially in Venezuela, and has invoked the president’s constitutional authority to act without authorization from Congress. However, he has not presented clear evidence about the identity of the targets nor issued a formal legal opinion, although he promised to deliver one “at some point.”
Representative Sara Jacobs (California) noted that the lawyers were withdrawn from the meeting at the last minute, while Seth Moulton (Massachusetts) expressed his total discontent: “Am I leaving satisfied? Absolutely not,” reports Axios.
For its part, the White House responded harshly. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly accused Democrats of “spreading false claims” to divert attention from the government shutdown, and defended the attacks as part of an effort to protect American citizens. “It is pathetic that these Democrats care more about covering up foreign drug traffickers and illegal immigrants than paying federal workers,” Kelly said in a statement to Axios.
The exclusion of Democratic senators from another briefing on Wednesday has intensified tensions. Meanwhile, Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) confirmed that a new meeting on the issue will be held.
The controversy surrounding these military attacks, which directly involve vessels in waters near Venezuela, continues to generate concern in the US Congress, where accusations are growing that the administration is carrying out extrajudicial executions under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
The United States Army attacked another ship carrying an alleged drug shipment through the eastern Pacific.
The secretary of American War Department, Pete Hegseth reported that the attack, ordered by President Donald Trump, took place yesterday, Wednesday, and four people were killed.
