‘Kill drug sellers’: GOP backs Trump strikes as Democrats warn of warfare crimes

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As scrutiny mounts on the Trump administration's use of drive in its targeting of suspected cartel members within the Caribbean, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been requested whether or not they consider U.S. citizen victims or drug traffickers are extra vital.

Republicans, comparable to Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., mentioned the reply is simple.

"I am unable to converse for anyone else, however my high concern is Americans, their lives, their well being. So, for me, it is a simple alternative. Kill drug sellers, save Individuals," mentioned Sheehy.

Democrats , nonetheless, had much less black and white opinions on the strikes.

"Look, I totally assist doing no matter we are able to inside the authorized means to make it possible for we're stopping drug trafficking," mentioned Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., including, "We must always completely be involved concerning the victims of drug trafficking and individuals who have misplaced their lives to drug violence."

SENATE REPUBLICANS BLOCK BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO HALT MILITARY ACTION, DRUG BOAT STRIKES IN THE CARIBBEAN

The U.S. killed six alleged drug traffickers on a ship in worldwide waters close to Venezuela, President Donald Trump introduced Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (realDonaldTrump/Reality Social)

"We assist all efforts to [interdict], arrest, maintain folks accountable who're making an attempt to smuggle medication into this nation. Nevertheless, we now have a rule of regulation, and we now have guidelines of engagement for a motive. And so, we have to make it possible for we now have full transparency when it comes to how these strikes are occurring," Olszewski went on.

He added that "if the reporting is true, it's totally possible" that the administration's drug boat strikes are "in violation of our legal guidelines and will actually be a warfare crime."

"So, it deserves full investigation; it deserves the small print being launched. And you realize, once more, I totally assist doing all that we are able to to cease drug trafficking, however that implies that we now have to make it possible for we're doing it inside the rule of regulation and the foundations that we now have on this nation."

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., pushed again on the query, saying, "Is that this going to do something to actually assist them?"

"Cocaine's nonetheless flowing, the demand continues to be there," Smith mentioned, including, "You see a drug vendor on the road, that is a foul particular person. That particular person is promoting medication. For instance they're promoting precise fentanyl, not the cocaine that we're hitting right here. Would you assist permitting anybody to execute that one that desires to on the spot? … You need to be powerful on drug sellers. Drug sellers are unhealthy folks. Why do we want due course of? Why do you want possible trigger?"

COMMANDER OF SEPTEMBER ATTACK BELIEVED SURVIVORS WERE CONTINUING DRUG RUN, REPORT SAYS

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., leaves the U.S. Capitol after the final votes of the week on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs)

"Do not give me this crap about how this proves you do not care about [selling drugs]," he mentioned. "I care about promoting medication. I do not need a fascist regime that will get to determine who they will kill after they need to kill them with none verify on that energy. That merely does not make sense in the US of America, or not less than not the US of America that I would like us to have."

In the meantime, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., answered, "We've to do our greatest to disrupt drug distribution. Additionally, we now have to spend money on drug well being care and drug schooling, et cetera. We've to do all of the issues. The true query is, how do you do it proper?"

Pressed on whether or not the federal government must be prioritizing drug victims above the traffickers, Reed responded, "I've commented and thanks for asking," earlier than strolling away.

SCHUMER ACCUSES TRUMP OF PUSHING US TOWARD ‘FOREIGN WAR’ WITH VENEZUELA

Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc., throughout a Home Oversight and Accountability Committee listening to on the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Picture/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., merely answered, " Congress has to do its job: oversight," and walked away.

Republicans, in the meantime, have been rather more unilateral of their responses.

"If it disrupts the circulate of 1 drug coming into West Virginia , I am all for it," mentioned Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

"I come from a state that has traditionally had huge drug issues. A number of deaths from fentanyl, from overdoses," mentioned Capito. "So, I am supportive of regardless of the president can do to finish the circulate of fentanyl. And [with] the narco-terrorism, the intelligence round these strikes, from my understanding, is fairly stable."

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"For too lengthy, politicians have been glad to have 100 thousand Individuals die yearly of drug overdoses. Lastly, President Trump has stepped as much as the plate and mentioned, ‘No extra,’" mentioned Rep. Glenn Grothman.

"If you are going to assault our nation, and these folks know full effectively Individuals are dying due to what they're doing. If you are going to assault our nation, we'll battle again, about time," Grothman added.