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Should alleged drug smugglers be killed? [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-09-06
South American drug smugglers are not the most sympathetic of victims. Still, it was kind of shocking that 11 ALLEGED drug smugglers were killed on the orders of President Trump, according to the Secretary of State. Of course, they were killed without a court trial. Or even an arrest. The alleged drug smugglers were apprehended in international waters by US authorities (Navy? Coast Guard? I’m not sure.)
Secretary of State Rubio stated that they posed “an immediate threat to the United States”. However, their boat was destroyed and they were killed in the Southern Caribbean Sea, so we have to wonder how “immediate” the threat was.
Apparently, US authorities normally deal with such alleged smugglers encountered on the high seas by firing on their engine, rendering them unable to move. Trump apparently wanted to make an example of them, so he ordered that their ship be destroyed and that they be killed. (Again, according to Secretary of State Rubio.)
Is this legal? I am no authority, but I have read several sources who question the legality of this.
Trump will never be held accountable for this action because the Supreme Court has given him broad immunity for decisions he makes as President.
What about the people who carried out the orders? If the orders were illegal, theoretical they could be prosecuted for carrying out the orders. When Trump took office, one of the first things he did was to fire the JAGs. The JAGs were normally rule on things such as were orders illegal and what should happen to those who follow illegal orders. I assume the JAGs have been replaced and I assume that they have been replaced with Trump sycophants. Therefore, I doubt that those who carried out the orders to destroy the ship and kill the alleged smugglers will face charges.
What will the sequels be? Will alleged drug dealers inside the United States be shot on sight?
Trump 1.0 urged the Army to shoot protestors in the legs, to discourage such protest. The Army refused. Will Trump 2.0 find members of the military who are willing to shoot protestors?
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