‘Democratically-elected monarch’: Dem Rep. knocks Trump’s strike on Venezuelan boat

Presidential Power & Legal Justification - The report highlights concerns over a potential expansion of presidential power, specifically regarding the authorization to order killings of individuals involved in drug smuggling, without congressional consultation [2][3][10] - The legality of strikes targeting Venezuelan drug cartels is questioned, with the argument that they do not constitute an imminent violent threat to the U S, thus not justifying self-defense [9][10][11] - The Trump administration's justification of self-defense for strikes against drug cartels is challenged, as it deviates from the legal standard of an imminent violent threat [9] - The report contrasts the Trump administration's actions with those of previous administrations, noting that prior actions had legal rationales, such as the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) [6][7][8] Geopolitical Conflicts & U S Response - The U S is urged to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza, which has been ongoing for almost two years, with military leaders suggesting that further military action may not achieve additional objectives [13][14] - The report suggests that weakening Hamas requires supporting Palestinian alternatives, as military action alone may not resolve the conflict [16] - The U S should consider humanitarian concerns in Gaza when leveraging arms sales to Israel [12]