Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City

Trump’s 'strike' on Venezuela boat sparks legal, political concern

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Sep 2025 20:30
4 Min Read

While supporters hail Trump's strike, critics question its legality and the president’s unchecked military power.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump’s strike on Venezuela drug boat sparks legal, political concern
    US President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he arrives for dinner at a restaurant near the White House, Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025, in Washington, with Vice President JD Vance (AP)

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump allegedly ordered a military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling speedboat carrying 11 people from Venezuela. The attack, which US officials claimed targeted members of the Tren de Aragua gang, was framed as a decisive move to block narcotics shipments into the country.

For Trump’s supporters, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, the strike was a clear message to drug cartels. Graham, who urged Trump to “blow up something” at the start of his second term as a show of strength, praised the action, saying it “works for me.”

Yet, the incident has deepened divisions within the Republican Party, with critics warning it contradicts Trump’s earlier campaign pledge to keep the US out of foreign conflicts. While some Republicans, like Sen. Jim Risch, insisted the strike targeted “narco-terrorists” and saved countless lives, others were unconvinced. Sen. Rand Paul criticized the administration for bypassing due process, calling it “despicable” to glorify executions without trial.

The Trump administration justified the strike as a necessary step to stop the flow of drugs, despite no proof in this regard being submitted. Vice President JD Vance defended the operation, arguing that “killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military.”

But the lack of transparency surrounding the mission has raised alarms in Washington. A bipartisan Senate briefing was abruptly canceled, and the rescheduled session failed to provide key details on the legal grounds for the operation.

Questions over Trump’s military authority

The alleged Venezuelan boat strike is the latest example of Trump’s increasingly aggressive use of military power without explicit congressional approval.

Related News

Trump rules out vice presidency bid in 2028

Netanyahu suspends 'sovereignty' bill for the time being amid backlash

Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat and former Navy pilot, questioned the legality of the operation. “I don’t know if this was legal or not,” he said, warning that US servicemembers could face legal jeopardy.

Democratic leaders, including Sen. Jack Reed, have demanded full transparency from the administration. Reed warned that if Trump exceeded his constitutional authority, Congress must consider restricting funds for further unauthorized military operations.

Meanwhile, Republicans such as Sen. Josh Hawley defended Trump’s actions, arguing that the president acted within his Article II authority as commander-in-chief. To them, preventing drugs from entering the US justifies rapid, unilateral decisions.

Venezuela’s response

Venezuelan Information Minister Freddy Nanez accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of misleading Trump with an AI-generated video that was later shared by both the White House and Trump himself as supposed proof of the strike. Nanez argued the footage showed “cartoonish” explosions and distortions, calling it fabricated evidence to justify escalation.

Venezuelan lawmaker Gilbert Jimenez further questioned the US account, stressing that traffickers were unlikely to operate in heavily patrolled waters and warning that Washington was using the narrative as a pretext for aggression.

America First and a shifting GOP strategy

Trump’s first term ushered in a period of US neo-isolationism. However, his second term appears to signal a more muscular, unilateral approach under the banner of America First.

The Venezuelan strike, along with past moves such as dropping bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites and rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, demonstrates Trump’s willingness to push the boundaries of presidential power.

While some Republicans see Trump’s approach as decisive leadership, others fear it erodes constitutional checks and balances. The result is an ongoing struggle within the GOP over whether America First should mean restraint abroad or aggressive use of military force.

Nonetheless, Democratic lawmakers remain firm in demanding explanations for the strike. They argue that the absence of legal clarity undermines both the rule of law and the safety of US forces carrying out such missions. 

  • JD Vance
  • Venezuela
  • Trump administration
  • Lindsey Graham
  • Unites States
  • GOP
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS