From Slate Magazine · Frank Bowman · · 2m
Congress Can Charge Trump With Murder
Trump's boat strikes kill suspected drug smugglers without trial, a high crime under U.S. law.
In brief
Trump's boat strikes kill suspected drug smugglers without trial, a high crime under U.S. law. Trump's military strikes on suspected drug boats violate U.S. law and international standards, making them a constitutional impeachable offense. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Trump's boat strikes
President Donald Trump authorized military attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific suspected of drug smuggling starting Sept 2, 2025.
First strike
The first attack occurred on Sept 2, 2025, with subsequent strikes hitting 70 vessels and killing 234 people by Sept 19, 2026.
Military response
U.S. forces killed crew members without stopping boats, inspecting cargo, or arresting suspects after explosions.
Survivors killed
In one instance, Navy Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley ordered military forces to kill survivors clinging to wreckage after explosions.
Author's background
The author served six years as an assistant U.S. attorney in Miami prosecuting drug smuggling cases.
Infrared footage
The author recognized Trump's boat attacks as similar to infrared surveillance footage used in drug cases but with no evidence of crime.
No evidence of crime
U.S. forces rarely found proof that boats were smuggling drugs, with survivors released on foreign soil without legal recourse.
Legal justification
The administration claims the strikes target fentanyl and narco-terrorist cartels, but Mexico is the main source of fentanyl, not South American countries.
Legal memo
The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel claims the strikes are justified under armed conflict with nonstate-actor terrorist groups.
Expert consensus
Experts agree the strikes violate military and international law, with the UN calling them potential crimes against humanity.
Impeachment grounds
Trump's boat strikes constitute high crimes and misdemeanors under U.S. law, violating his constitutional duty to uphold the Constitution.
Pardons contrast
Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht and Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted drug traffickers, while ordering boat strikes on suspected smugglers.
Impeachment feasibility
Impeachment may hold Trump accountable for the deaths, but public opinion supports the strikes at 48 percent approval.
Recommendation
Congress should investigate the boat strikes but include charges only if public opinion turns against Trump on the issue.
The essence
Trump's military strikes on suspected drug boats violate U.S. law and international standards, making them a constitutional impeachable offense.
