Legal & Ethical Concerns - Boat strikes are considered unlawful and unconstitutional, potentially violating the law of war regarding shipwrecked individuals [4][5] - The legality of the strikes is questioned, with concerns raised about extrajudicial killings, as the boats are not engaged in an armed assault on the United States [6] - The moral implications of killing shipwrecked individuals are highlighted, regardless of their potential activities [4][6] Strategic & Operational Assessment - The targets were not in a state of distress, suggesting they were not helpless victims [3] - The individuals on the boat may have been involved in drug trafficking activities, operating in known drug cartel areas [2] - The debate centers on the justification for the initial strike, rather than the subsequent actions [3] Information Transparency - Calls for the release of video evidence to allow public scrutiny of the boat strikes [5] - Senator Cotton stated that it didn't matter what these people were doing on that capsized boat [6]

Legality and Constitutionality of Boat Strikes - Senator Schiff believes the boat strikes are unlawful and unconstitutional, considering the killing of shipwrecked individuals morally repugnant [2] - The strikes are viewed as a form of extrajudicial killing, as the boats are not invading the United States in an armed assault and are thousands of miles away [5] - The administration's designation of groups as terrorist organizations does not grant the legal authority to kill them at sea [6] - Concerns exist regarding the legal justification for the strikes, with arguments potentially built on strained legal interpretations [10][11][12] Potential Legal and Ethical Repercussions - Individuals in the chain of command who carried out the strike on shipwrecked people may face legal liability [19] - The Senator suggests that public release of the video of the strikes would likely generate clamor and force colleagues to support an end to these strikes [20] Actions and Accountability of Officials - The admiral in charge of Southern Command may have left due to concerns about these strikes, and the top lawyer in that command may have been fired or forced to resign [8][9] - Secretary Hegseth should be fired for endangering pilots by using a commercial app to signal military strike plans ahead of those strikes [22][23]

Allegations of Illegal Military Action - News reports suggest deadly strikes were launched on survivors of an initial military strike near Venezuela on September 2nd, raising questions about potential violations of international law [1][4] - The core allegation is that Secretary Hegsth gave verbal orders to "kill everybody," ensuring no survivors, which, if true, could constitute a violation of international law or even murder, depending on whether the action occurred during an armed conflict [4][5][6] - A bipartisan group of members of Congress is reportedly planning to investigate the incident thoroughly [6] Legal and Political Implications - If the White House's claim that the operation was part of fighting against narcotism is true, then the rules of engagement apply, and a "no quarters" order would violate international law; otherwise, it could be considered an extrajudicial killing [5][6] - Investigations are expected within the military and the Justice Department to determine the facts and accountability, potentially leading to resignations, impeachment proceedings, or formal legal action [8] - Democrats who issued a video reminding military members not to follow illegal orders are now under investigation by the FBI and Pentagon, while Democrats in Arizona are asking Hegsth to drop his investigation of Senator Mark Kelly [9] Pardons and Executive Orders - The President has an unrestricted pardon power except for impeachment, meaning pardons cannot be reversed, although attempts to do so might lead to court challenges [12][13] - The current President might attempt to reverse executive orders related to the former President's use of the autopen, including pardons, but such efforts are unlikely to succeed [12][13] JAG Structure - Secretary Hegsith previously eliminated most of the JAG (Judge Advocate General) structure, leading to an informal JAG working group that issued a rare statement deeming the military action illegal [11]