On September 2, the Trump administration conducted military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean, which the White House claims were transporting drugs destined for the United States. This assertion has been met with skepticism, as no public evidence has been provided to substantiate the administration's claims. The justification for these strikes relies on the designation of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, raising questions about the appropriateness of military action against entities traditionally addressed through law enforcement.

Democratic lawmakers have expressed serious concerns regarding the strikes, particularly one that reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors attempting to cling to wreckage. Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, indicated that this incident could potentially be classified as a war crime. Senator Adam Schiff described the strike as "unconstitutional" and "morally repugnant," suggesting that the administration is reluctant to release footage of the attack, which could contradict the narrative presented by Republican defenders.

Senator Tom Cotton, a prominent Republican supporter of the strikes, defended their legality under presidential authority, although he mistakenly referenced the wrong president when discussing constitutional powers. He argued that the strikes are an effective means of combating drug trafficking.

Criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emerged from both sides of the aisle, with some Democrats labeling him as lacking the necessary military experience to effectively manage the Pentagon. A recent report from the Pentagon's inspector general indicated that Hegseth may have compromised U.S. intelligence by sharing sensitive information in an unclassified setting.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran, characterized the strikes as illegal and equated the actions taken against the survivors to murder. She affirmed that the strikes constitute a war crime, emphasizing the need for accountability in military operations.

Bipartisan discontent with Hegseth's leadership has surfaced, with some Republicans calling for accountability for those responsible for the second strike that targeted survivors. Senator Thom Tillis has demanded that individuals involved in the decision-making process be removed from their positions, while Senator Rand Paul has suggested that Hegseth should testify under oath regarding the orders given during the strikes. Paul also advocated for the release of video footage depicting the aftermath of the attacks to ensure transparency and public awareness.