Congressman Jim Himes on US Military Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boat

Troubling Military Actions

• 💔 Congressman Jim Himes described the second strike on a Venezuelan drug boat as one of the most troubling things he's seen in public service.
• 🚢 The strike targeted individuals in distress on a destroyed vessel, which Himes stated is an impermissible action under the DoD manual for attacking shipwrecked sailors.
• ⚠️ Despite being identified as "bad guys" carrying drugs, the individuals were attacked without means of locomotion or ability to continue their mission.

"Kill Them All" Order Disputed

• 📰 A Washington Post story alleged that Trump's Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, issued a "kill them all" order for the boat strike.
• ✅ However, an Admiral confirmed that there was no "kill them all" order and no order to grant "no quarter," contradicting the Post's reporting.
• 🧐 The Admiral suggested the Post's sources may have been incorrect, calling the story a blunder and black eye for the publication.

Law Enforcement vs. Military Action

• ⚖️ Over three months, the US military attacked over a dozen alleged drug boats without congressional authority or a declaration of war.
• 🚨 These missions are considered law enforcement actions, requiring agents to give defendants an opportunity to surrender and receive due process.
• 🔪 Shooting defendants and then ensuring they are dead, without due process, is described as murder under US law.

Shipwrecked Sailors and International Law

• 🆘 Even if survivors were reaching for radios or assistance, they are still considered shipwrecked unless they engage in a hostile act.
• ✈️ The analogy of downed US airmen, who are equipped with radios for rescue but are still protected under international law, highlights the problematic rationale for continued targeting.
• ❓ The implications of considering individuals with radios lawful targets are significant, especially for US forces.

Policy and Public Scrutiny

• 🏛️ Lawmakers in both parties believe the US policy of attacking alleged drug boats is illegal and unlawful.
• 😨 Public pressure is expected to intensify once the Trump administration releases the horrifying video of the second strike.
• 🤔 The administration's rationale for the follow-up strike is problematic, as having a radio does not negate protection from attack unless a hostile act is committed.

Presidential Health and Transparency

• 🩺 A medical doctor fact-checked Trump's Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt regarding a recent MRI, stating there is no such thing as a preventative cardiac MRI.
• 📅 The MRI was performed off-cycle from the President's usual comprehensive physical exams, raising questions about its necessity and purpose.
• 🧐 The note explaining the MRI had a defensive and evasive tone, suggesting it was not a standard procedure for preventative care.