A pair of Senate Democrats respond to series of unprecedented US military strikes against suspected drug traffickers at sea on President Trump's orders to force the Senate to vote on a war powers resolution blocking the commander-in-chief's escalation.
Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, are pushing for a vote despite strong odds of passage as support among Republicans appears limited so far. They argue that the White House has not provided evidence to justify the attacks, which they say are illegal and unconstitutional.
Two Democrats also say it is clear that Congress did not authorize the use of such force.
“The resolution will stop blowing up ships,” Schiff told reporters at the Capitol before the vote. “It would also address the administration's threat that they were potentially going to go beyond blowing up ships at sea and move on to attacks on land in Venezuela or elsewhere.”
Last month, Trump ordered three U.S. military strikes on the ships after administration officials suspected they were carrying members of the Tren de Aragua gang, which smuggles drugs from Venezuela. So far, 21 people have been killed, but their identities have not yet been established.
Venezuelan officials say at least some of those killed were not gang members, creating new concern in the region. But Trump The administration insists the strikes were entirely legal, arguing that drug traffickers now pose a military threat rather than a threat to law enforcement.
The move upended America's drug enforcement program, under which the Coast Guard traditionally intercepts ships at sea, seizes illegal drugs and arrests suspected drug traffickers to face criminal charges.
Kaine said more than two dozen congressional Democrats wrote to the Trump administration demanding answers to a series of questions regarding the legal basis for the strike, but had not received a response weeks later. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said there had been one closed-door briefing so far for senators, but that had not provided clarity.
“The room is full of administration people,” Cain told reporters. However, “there is no information about why exactly to attack rather than obstruct.”
Kane and Schiff worry that military strikes could unexpectedly and inadvertently lead the United States into war.
It is unclear how many Republicans will join Democrats in the effort, with a vote expected in the coming day. However, Schiff and Kane said they could reintroduce the resolution if it doesn't pass on the first try.
It seems at least one Republican, Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky.who has long pushed the boundaries of military power is on board. Many others such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defended the administration's actions.arguing that the rules of engagement have changed.
However, Schiff and Kane say that without knowing the identities of those killed, it is possible that the US made a mistake or will do so in the future.
“I have no idea who exactly was on these ships, or even if the administration knows their identities, and that’s the real problem,” Schiff said. “Are they killing people who were not involved in human trafficking? I just don't know the answer to this question.”
Kane says this raises a new wave of questions.
“My suspicious mind says it’s because there are no good answers,” he said.
