Trump memo sparks legal controversy.Former US President Donald Trump has reportedly declared that the United States is in a non international armed conflict with drug cartels. A leaked government memo revealed that Trump’s administration classified members of drug cartels as unlawful combatants and justified recent military strikes against alleged smugglers.
According to reports from The Associated Press and The New York Times the memo followed attacks in the Caribbean where US forces targeted three boats suspected of drug trafficking resulting in 17 deaths. Legal experts say these strikes may violate both US and international law since Congress has not approved the use of military force.
The memo described the cartels as transnational groups involved in organized violence across the Western Hemisphere. It stated that their actions amounted to an armed attack on the United States. Critics argue that this reasoning stretches legal definitions and gives the president excessive war powers.
Senator Jack Reed said that Trump’s decision to use lethal force without congressional approval was alarming and unconstitutional. Experts also noted that calling the operations self defense does not make them legally valid.
The memo has sparked national debate over presidential authority the role of Congress and the legality of using military action against criminal organizations.
