Best of the Spectator Americano: Trump's war on the cartels
Oct 13, 2025
Ben Domenech, a conservative writer and editor at The Spectator, discusses Trump's aggressive new campaign against Mexican cartels. He explores why MAGA has seized upon this issue, the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations, and how it could influence Trump's foreign policy for a potential second term. Domenech breaks down the tensions within the GOP regarding interventionism, the impact of China in Latin America, and what increased U.S. military actions might resemble, including drone strikes and special forces operations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
A United GOP Venn Diagram
- Trump's new cartel campaign unites hawks, MAGA populists and some neoliberals around a common fight.
- The administration aims to shift responsibility from DHS/ICE to the Department of Defense for offensive action.
Narco-Terrorism As Political Glue
- The narco-terror label bridges Reagan/Bush-style hawkishness with Trump's MAGA priorities.
- That label lets the administration justify foreign military action as both moral and domestic policy.
Vance Versus Paul Clash
- J.D. Vance publicly clashed with libertarian-leaning critics like Rand Paul over authorization for force.
- Vance defended presidential authority to act to protect Americans and backed offensive measures.