Apple News Today Was Trump’s strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat legal?
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Sep 5, 2025 A recent military operation by U.S. warships raised questions about legality after killing 11 people in a suspected drug trafficking interception. Tensions flared during a Senate hearing on vaccine integrity, spotlighting political accountability. The Democratic Party is strategizing to regain voter trust ahead of the midterms while facing declining support. Tragedy struck in Portugal with a cable car disaster, and there's buzz around a new Federal Reserve board nomination and iconic memorabilia auctions, including Darth Vader's lightsaber.
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Military Strike Framed As Campaign
- The Trump administration framed a naval strike on a suspected smuggling vessel as part of a sustained campaign against cartels.
- Legal experts say using military force requires an immediate, imminent threat, which drugs alone likely do not meet.
International Law vs. U.S. Position
- International law generally forbids interference with vessels in international waters except in limited cases under UNCLOS.
- The U.S. isn't a signatory, but past military legal advisers urged following U.N. norms, while current officials pointed to threats to the homeland.
Threat Claim Meets Legal Pushback
- Administration officials have publicly asserted the strike was justified because the vessel posed a threat to the United States.
- Legal experts counter that mere drug smuggling likely doesn't meet the legal standard of an imminent threat to authorize military force.