Consider This from NPR Trump used the military to target a Venezuelan vessel. Is it legal?
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Sep 19, 2025 In this discussion, John Bellinger, a former State Department legal advisor and expert on international law, dives into the legality of President Trump's military actions against Venezuelan vessels. He evaluates whether these strikes signify a transformative approach to military engagement abroad. Bellinger highlights the complexities of self-defense claims under Article II and the importance of accountability and oversight from Congress and the public. The conversation sheds light on the intersection of military power and international law in a contemporary context.
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Ambiguous Legal Basis For Strikes
- President Trump posted video claiming he ordered strikes on Venezuelan boats labeled as "narco-terrorists."
- John Bellinger says the legal basis (Article II self-defense) is unclear and legally questionable.
Strikes Differ From Counterterror Precedent
- Bellinger contrasts these strikes with prior drone strikes against al-Qaeda or ISIS, noting missing evidence of an attack or planned attack.
- He and international lawyers view blowing up civilian boats on the high seas as impermissible absent an imminent attack.
Limited Judicial Review, Strong International Concern
- Courts often avoid adjudicating presidential uses of force as non-justiciable under U.S. law.
- International lawyers almost uniformly reject targeting civilians on the high seas without evidence of imminent threat.