Trump rebranding Defense Dept. is 'an effort to distract' from real issues: Sen. Shaheen

US Foreign Policy & Military Action - The Pentagon criticizes Venezuela's fighter jets flying near a US Navy ship as a provocative maneuver [1] - A US strike in international waters killed 11 people on a boat allegedly connected to Venezuelan drug gangs [1] - Democrats are seeking answers regarding the legal justification for the US strike [2] - The Trump administration defends the strike as a necessary measure against drug cartels, arguing that a 2% loss of cargo is factored into their economics [6] - Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US will blow up drug cartels to combat them [6] Drug War & Opioid Epidemic - Senator Gene Shaheen supports stopping drug cartels but cautions against actions that could escalate conflict and endanger military personnel [3][4][9] - There is a need for more information on the intelligence that led to the strike on the drug-carrying boat [5] - Senator Shaheen highlights the opioid epidemic's impact on New Hampshire, emphasizing the need for effective action against drug cartels [3][8][10] - New Hampshire had seen progress in reducing overdose deaths through interdiction, treatment, and recovery efforts, but funding for these programs has been cut [11][12] Defense Spending & Priorities - Senator Shaheen expresses concern that renaming the Defense Department to the Department of War could cost billions and distract from military readiness [13][14][15] - Focus should be on the readiness of troops and addressing conflicts around the world rather than on a name change [14][15]