Vice President JD Vance waded into the faux controversy surrounding President Trump’s decision to destroy a drug shipment using military force. President Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. military had carried out a strike on a Tren de Aragua-operated boat in international waters.
[snip]
Two U.S. government officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Hegseth’s justification – which one called “completely unserious” – took shape after the attack.
Experts said Hegseth’s rationale was flimsy, if not farcical. “Tren de Aragua being designated as a foreign terrorist organization is a purely domestic law enforcement designation. It offers no authority for the military to use deadly force,” said Todd Huntley, who was an active-duty judge advocate for more than 23 years, serving as a legal advisor to Special Operations forces engaged in counterterrorism missions around the world. “Under international law, there’s no way this even gets close to being a legitimate use of force.”
And more really smart people are insisting that Trump can’t do what he did because the right lawyers in the proper organization didn’t approve.
Military JAG attorneys have the statutory authority and responsibility to provide independent legal advice without interference. Trump’s EO attempts to suggest otherwise.
[snip]
I love it when military lawyers cite their statutory right “to give independent legal advice to commanders” without considering that there is no statutory requirement that anyone give a flying rat’s patootie about their advice.
It was into this hot mess that JD Vance waded fearlessly today.
I happen to agree. I’ve never understood why we let drug cartels run drugs in by ocean and stage drugs just across the border, and insist on treating it like a law enforcement issue rather than a national security threat.
[snip]
Vance came back with the kill shot.
This probably should be the administration’s response to all questions about whacking drug runners.
You can almost hear Krassenstein whimpering in impotent rage as he attempted a comeback.
“Exposing U.S. officials to responsibility” from whom?
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* Original Article:
https://redstate.com/streiff/2025/09/06/jd-vance-gives-the-best-reason-ever-why-military-strikes-against-drug-runners-are-legitimate-n2193663
