Sources & Methods Trump threatens a Venezuela escalation and Pentagon press walk out
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Oct 16, 2025 
Ryan Lucas and Tom Bowman join to discuss Trump's controversial plans for military strikes in Venezuela. Lucas explores the legal justifications, such as claims of self-defense against drug cartels. Bowman adds insights into the Pentagon press's mass walkout in protest of restrictive credentialing agreements, highlighting challenges in reporting without direct access. They consider the implications of shifting strikes from sea to land and whether the actions will truly impact drug trafficking or just serve broader geopolitical goals.
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Administration's Legal Rationale
- The administration claims Article II powers and self-defense let the president treat cartels as non-state armed groups and wage a non-international armed conflict.
- Legal experts warn this unilateral framing raises serious constitutional and laws-of-war concerns.
Military And Legal Doubts
- Former JAGs and law professors express serious doubts that killing alleged drug smugglers at sea fits the laws of armed conflict.
- Military officers worry orders to fire on non-shooting vessels could be illegal and put servicemembers at risk.
War Powers Window Limits
- The War Powers Resolution gives the president a 60-day window for hostilities without congressional authorization, with a possible 30-day extension.
- Congress so far has not enacted an AUMF for these operations and has mostly offered limited pushback.