Impolitic with John Heilemann Steven Lepper: Murder Was the Case (Off the Coast of Venezuela)
Dec 8, 2025
Steven Lepper, a retired U.S. Air Force Major General and former Deputy Judge Advocate General, discusses the troubling legal landscape surrounding the Trump administration’s Venezuelan boat strikes. He argues these strikes lack legal justification, suggesting that they verge on murder rather than being classified as war crimes. Lepper also highlights the dangers of firing top JAGs, emphasizing how their presence is vital for lawful military operations. He calls for congressional investigations to restore legal integrity and accountability in military actions.
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Drugs Aren't A Legal Justification For War
- The administration recharacterized narcotics trafficking as armed conflict to justify military strikes instead of law enforcement.
- Steven Lepper argues international law doesn't treat drug traffickers as combatants and this legal fiction is unsustainable.
How Lepper Became A JAG
- Steven Lepper recounts being sent to law school by the Air Force and starting as a prosecutor at Lackland AFB.
- He describes learning courtroom practice and later specializing in operations law advising commanders.
Embed Lawyers In Operational Planning
- Keep JAGs embedded on commanders' personal staffs during planning and execution of operations.
- Steven Lepper says JAGs must draft rules of engagement and be present in operations centers to ensure legality.