The US Government Admits to Killing Innocent People in the Caribbean and Pacific, Without Knowing Their Identities.
In a shocking revelation, top officials from the Trump administration have admitted that they do not know who exactly their military strikes are killing. These strikes, which have been ongoing for several months, target vessels suspected of carrying drugs, but also result in the deaths of civilians, including women and children. According to experts and lawmakers, these civilian killings constitute extrajudicial murder, as the US is not at war with any recognized enemy.
The Trump administration claims that these strikes are permissible under a "non-international armed conflict" designation, which it asserts allows for the targeting of suspected terrorists without providing due process or evidence. However, this claim has been rejected by lawmakers and experts, who argue that such a designation requires specific facts and circumstances that do not exist in this case.
The administration's assertion that civilians are "unprivileged belligerents" and thus can be killed without trial is also being challenged by lawyers and human rights groups, who point out that this label is typically reserved for non-state actors involved in armed conflicts. In contrast, those targeted by the US military in these strikes are mostly ordinary people caught up in the conflict.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), have expressed outrage at the lack of transparency and accountability from the administration, stating that the Pentagon officials who briefed them on Thursday admitted to not knowing the identities of all the individuals killed in the strikes. The lawmakers also noted that the War Department could not meet the evidentiary burden necessary to hold or try survivors of the attacks.
The Trump administration's approach to these strikes has been likened to a "slam dunk" for opponents, who argue that it makes the case for the Iraq War look like a legitimate military action. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) stated that the justification provided by the administration is so flimsy that it undermines Congress's war powers responsibilities.
The lack of transparency from the Trump administration has sparked concerns about its willingness to disregard international law and human rights norms in its pursuit of counter-narcotics operations. As The Intercept noted, "This partisan stunt is a slap in the face to Congress' war powers responsibilities and to the men and women who serve this country."
While there may be a list of "designated terrorist organizations" (DTOs) involved in these strikes, lawmakers like Rep. Sara Jacobs believe that there could be dozens more. Despite repeated requests for information, neither the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel nor the Pentagon has released the full justification or list of DTOs.
The revelation highlights the Trump administration's authoritarian tendencies and its willingness to disregard the rule of law in pursuit of its policies. As The Intercept pointed out, "This is not hyperbole."
In a shocking revelation, top officials from the Trump administration have admitted that they do not know who exactly their military strikes are killing. These strikes, which have been ongoing for several months, target vessels suspected of carrying drugs, but also result in the deaths of civilians, including women and children. According to experts and lawmakers, these civilian killings constitute extrajudicial murder, as the US is not at war with any recognized enemy.
The Trump administration claims that these strikes are permissible under a "non-international armed conflict" designation, which it asserts allows for the targeting of suspected terrorists without providing due process or evidence. However, this claim has been rejected by lawmakers and experts, who argue that such a designation requires specific facts and circumstances that do not exist in this case.
The administration's assertion that civilians are "unprivileged belligerents" and thus can be killed without trial is also being challenged by lawyers and human rights groups, who point out that this label is typically reserved for non-state actors involved in armed conflicts. In contrast, those targeted by the US military in these strikes are mostly ordinary people caught up in the conflict.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), have expressed outrage at the lack of transparency and accountability from the administration, stating that the Pentagon officials who briefed them on Thursday admitted to not knowing the identities of all the individuals killed in the strikes. The lawmakers also noted that the War Department could not meet the evidentiary burden necessary to hold or try survivors of the attacks.
The Trump administration's approach to these strikes has been likened to a "slam dunk" for opponents, who argue that it makes the case for the Iraq War look like a legitimate military action. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) stated that the justification provided by the administration is so flimsy that it undermines Congress's war powers responsibilities.
The lack of transparency from the Trump administration has sparked concerns about its willingness to disregard international law and human rights norms in its pursuit of counter-narcotics operations. As The Intercept noted, "This partisan stunt is a slap in the face to Congress' war powers responsibilities and to the men and women who serve this country."
While there may be a list of "designated terrorist organizations" (DTOs) involved in these strikes, lawmakers like Rep. Sara Jacobs believe that there could be dozens more. Despite repeated requests for information, neither the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel nor the Pentagon has released the full justification or list of DTOs.
The revelation highlights the Trump administration's authoritarian tendencies and its willingness to disregard the rule of law in pursuit of its policies. As The Intercept pointed out, "This is not hyperbole."
how can they just admit to killing innocent ppl without even knowing who they are? it's like they're saying civilians aren't worth a second thought 
i mean what would happen if the tables were turned and americans were being targeted by some other country without any due process or evidence? it'd be a complete disaster 
we need more transparency and accountability from our govt, period 
I mean, what's the point of even calling it a military strike if you don't know who you're actually hitting? It's like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded while playing a game of "dodge the civilian". And the fact that they're claiming these people are just "unprivileged belligerents" is just laughable. I mean, unless you're in a bad sci-fi movie, that's not how it works 
. It's like they think civilians are just background extras or something 
. Anyway, I guess this is what happens when you have a bunch of bureaucrats who think the rule of law is optional 
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. This is what happens when you put politics over people... it's sickening 
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it's gonna be a wild ride 
, claiming that civilians can be killed without trial or evidence. This notion is tantamount to a complete collapse of the rule of law and basic human decency. The Trump administration's assertion that these individuals are "unprivileged belligerents" is nothing short of Orwellian doublespeak, attempting to justify egregious violence under the guise of national security.
[A picture of a person with a "Who, me?" expression on their face] 
I think it's absolutely crazy that they're killing innocent people without even knowing who they are. Like, what kind of messed up logic is that? 
At the same time, I don't want to get all worked up about it because, you know, politicians say stuff and then do whatever they want, so why should we trust them? 
the trump administration's trying to say that these civilians are like some kind of enemies just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time but come on that doesn't make sense 
but seriously though this is just a total cop-out and lawmakers are calling them out for it 
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. It's like, hello, we have a right to know what's going on when our country is involved in military action!
It's crazy that they're using the term "unprivileged belligerents" to justify killing civilians. Like, what does that even mean? 
I'm also wondering why they didn't just tell us from the start that they were targeting innocent people. Was it just a ploy to hide their own incompetence? 