To the editor: On September 2, President Trump ordered the military to carry out a boat strike that killed 11 people on the high seas, potentially violating international law (“The United States carries out a third fatal strike in alleged drug boats”, September 19). This reckless behavior, repeated twice in recent weeks, endangers the credibility of the United States and the life of service members, including my own family. “Just following orders” has never excused illegal acts.
However, Congress remains in silence. Some call it a “overreach of the Executive Power”, but let's be clear: the murders in international waters outside the armed conflicts are illegal. Even the lawyers of the Department of Defense have reportedly He raised concerns about the legality of strikes.
Congress has the constitutional duty to verify the abuse of the Executive Power. When refusing, they run the risk of normalizing illegality and putting our troops at greater risk. As veteran of the 20 -year -old Air Force and support contractor of the 33 -year -old defense department, I know the true cost of war. Responsibility cannot be optional.
Jeff Merrick, Long Beach
..
To the editor: Colombian President Gustavo Petro wants an investigation into Trump and other officials with respect to mortal attacks in several ships in the Caribbean that is believed to transport drugs (“The president of Colombia asks for a criminal investigation against Trump on the attacks of the Caribbean”, “ September 24). I am in favor of trying to eliminate drug flow in the United States, but attacking three small boats has to be one of the most inefficient ways of achieving that goal. Tons of drugs pass through our borders every month without being detected. Making ships that are the size of some small leisure ships in the US.
Daniel V. Shannon, Camarillo
