Congress demands answers after Pentagon’s Pacific strikes spark legal debates
Congressional leaders from both parties have called for more information and transparency following recent Pentagon strikes in the Pacific Ocean. The administration has briefed lawyers on the legal justification, but some have raised concerns about the lack of evidence tying targets to drug trafficking and the potential for military action in Venezuela.
Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner expressed confidence in the intelligence used for the strikes, stating that the shared legal opinion does not address potential military action inside Venezuela. Warner urged the Trump administration to share more information to instill public confidence in the public. Initially, the administration briefed only GOP lawyers, drawing criticism from Warner who argued for greater transparency.
House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks questioned the administration's legal justification for the strikes, asserting that they circumvent Congress' role in matters of war and peace. Meeks stated that the administration did not provide evidence tying vessels or passengers to the drug trade. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, argued that 'exquisite intelligence' backs the legal justification for the strikes, based on a 'military paradigm' rather than traditional legal zoom.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pressed for more information and a full congressional briefing on the issue. Rep. Jim Himes echoed Warner's confidence in US intelligence but raised concerns about ensuring no innocents are killed in the strikes.
The administration has briefed a bipartisan group of lawyers, known as the 'Gang of 12', on the legal justification for the strikes. Despite some lawmakers' confidence in the intelligence, others have called for more evidence and transparency. The potential for military action in Venezuela remains a topic of discussion, with Warner urging caution in this regard.
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