Slate Daily Feed What Next | Trump Blew Up 11 People. Is That Legal?
Sep 10, 2025
Shane Harris, a national security writer for The Atlantic, and Ana Vanessa Herrero, a journalist covering South America for the Washington Post, delve into the controversial U.S. military operation that led to the deaths of 11 individuals. They question the legal justifications for such actions in international waters and what that means for U.S. policy on drug trafficking. The discussion also examines the chaos in Venezuela, the implications of military involvement, and the concerns over presidential power and due process.
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Strike Announced Casually And Publicized
- Trump announced a strike on a boat in an Oval Office news conference and posted video of it publicly.
- Shane Harris says the casual public display suggests the administration wanted to send a strong warning message.
Interdiction Skipped For Lethal Strike
- The administration skipped normal interdiction and reportedly chose to destroy the boat on presidential orders.
- Marco Rubio and others signaled this could be repeated, implying a new operational doctrine.
War-On-Drugs Framing Raises Legal Flags
- The president framed this as part of a renewed 'war on drugs' employing military force.
- Shane Harris warns the action may violate established laws of armed conflict and marks a major shift.