The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: U.S. Military Conducts Lethal Strike on Venezuelan ‘Drug Boat’
Sep 5, 2025
Rebecca Ingber, a law professor at Cardozo and an expert in legal issues, joins Benjamin Wittes and Scott R. Anderson to dissect a recent U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan drug boat. They navigate the complexities of international law versus self-defense claims and critique the legal justifications for military action without congressional approval. The discussion highlights the ethical dilemmas of targeting non-state actors and the need for clear frameworks in military engagement, questioning the balance between national security and international norms.
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Administration Framed Strike As Message
- The Trump administration announced a kinetic strike on a Venezuelan-origin boat killing 11 people and claimed ties to a designated narco-terrorist group.
- Officials framed the strike as a deliberate message rather than a last-resort interdiction.
Use Public Critique To Limit Precedent
- Criticize and publicize problematic executive uses of force to constrain future presidents.
- Public scrutiny raises political and legal costs that can limit precedent-setting actions.
FTO Designation Doesn't Equal Force Authority
- Designating a group as an FTO does not by itself authorize the use of lethal force.
- Rebecca Ingber and Scott Anderson emphasize different legal standards govern FTO lists and use-of-force law.