Growing Dissent Among Republicans Over Trump's Military Offensive Against Drug Cartels

Strategic Insights -

As the United States continues its military campaign against Latin American drug cartels, a growing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill are raising concerns about President Trump's expanding war carried out without congressional approval. Most in the group, however, have not expressed explicit opposition to the strikes, which have expanded to the Pacific this week, and have enthusiastically rallied behind them. Yet, the skepticism reflects a rare and potentially significant bit of dissent over a widening war, with some Republicans calling for more transparency and oversight.

Key Takeaways:

  • A growing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill are raising concerns about President Trump's military campaign against Latin American drug cartels carried out without congressional approval.
  • Most in the group have not expressed explicit opposition to the strikes, which have expanded to the Pacific this week, and have enthusiastically rallied behind them.
  • Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) have expressed concerns about the legality of the strikes and the lack of transparency from the Trump administration.
  • Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) has said lawmakers are "always hungry for more" information from the White House about the operation.
  • The Biden administration, if in power, would have been subject to numerous Congressional interventions and oversight measures.
  • Some Republicans have criticized the lack of a formal congressional authorization for the use of military force, with Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) saying: "We're not his opponent on this, we are an ally in this to be able to solve it, but we need to be able to have a voice on it as a coequal branch."
  • Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has expressed concerns about the legality of the strikes and the "trajectory of military operations without congressional approval."
  • Representative Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has said the strikes were based on "credible intelligence provided by numerous agencies," while Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) believes the administration is "on solid legal ground."
  • Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) has shown little interest in scheduling oversight hearings, saying: "The president of the United States saved lives, lots of lives."
  • Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has called the operation an antiterror campaign that clearly warrants the use of deadly force.
  • The White House has argued that the operation is a formal "armed conflict" with members of the labeled crime organizations.

Statistics:

  • 10 known lethal strikes on vessels have been launched by the U.S. since early September, targeting drug trafficking operations.
  • Over 10,000 troops and aircraft have been deployed across the region as part of the military campaign.
  • 2 Republicans have directly opposed the military offensive: Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
  • The Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war, but formal declarations are rare and have not been issued since World War II.
  • Lawmakers have more often passed authorizations for the use of military force against specific targets, but presidents of both parties have asserted broad power to determine how and when to do so.

Sources:

  • The New York Times article, "Growing Dissent Among Republicans Over Trump's Military Offensive Against Drug Cartels" (Oct. 27, 2022).
  • Interviews with Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Curtis (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Eric Schmitt and Julian Barnes' reporting.