UPDATE: The Trump administration is facing intense scrutiny following over 20 strikes against alleged drug traffickers in international waters, resulting in approximately 100 deaths. This development has raised serious legal and ethical questions, with analysts suggesting that President Donald Trump may have boxed his administration into a precarious situation.
During a recent broadcast of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” analyst Abby Phillip expressed concerns about the administration’s stance on these military actions. “It makes me wonder if there was a conversation in the Pentagon about what happened in this first instance,” she stated. “The Trump administration has dug itself into a bit of a hole… they’re endorsing it before there’s been an investigation into the legality of it.”
Legal experts have criticized the strikes, labeling them potentially as extrajudicial killings. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, recently asserted that the military acted within its legal authority, further complicating the administration’s position as it faces mounting pressure for transparency.
As the legal ramifications unfold, the Department of Justice has been criticized for providing scant evidence to justify these operations. A memo obtained by The Guardian indicates that the DOJ may be relying heavily on Trump’s assertions to formulate its legal justification.
In a related political uproar, Senator Lindsey Graham faced backlash for his bizarre remarks challenging Pope Leo XIV to “be on the right side of history.” The newly appointed pope has recently criticized the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies, raising questions about their compatibility with a pro-life stance.
Meanwhile, Rep. Elise Stefanik, a prominent Republican and gubernatorial candidate in New York, has taken a bold step by signing a bipartisan discharge petition aimed at banning members of Congress from buying and selling individual stocks. This policy has been a contentious issue within the GOP, highlighting tensions among party leadership.
In a shocking incident prior to Thanksgiving, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old immigrant from Bellingham, Washington, was charged with the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. One guard member tragically lost their life, while the other remains hospitalized in critical condition. Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to murder.
This situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the legality of military actions and the political fallout from these events. Expect developments as officials respond to the growing controversy surrounding the administration’s decisions.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this urgent situation, providing real-time updates on this unfolding story.
