The American Spectator
"And the Democrats’ answer as to how to stop this drug war is not only nowhere to be seen but is effectively allowing the problem — and the overdoses — to continue. Not good. . . ."
"Well, of course.
"This headline over at Newsmax is a sample of others now appearing. It reads: “Leavitt: Hegseth Authorized for Lethal Narco-Terror Strikes.”
"The story reads in part as follows:
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday strongly defended a recent series of U.S. military strikes targeting what the administration has labeled “narco-terrorist” groups.
She said that both President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth acted firmly within their legal authority.
"Again: Well, of course.
"What amazes is that anyone should question the president’s authority to do this. Not to mention the fact that he’s doing it.
"Not to be too obvious, but recall the words a new president says when sworn in: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
"Safe to say is the obvious. The president targeting “narco-terrorist groups” who are decidedly and deliberately, in a hostile act of violence, targeting America and Americans is exactly the kind of action that a president is constitutionally required to defend against.
"It is beyond belief, then, to see the president and the (reminder!) Secretary of War attacked by Democrats for defending the country from those who are deliberately, willfully orchestrating hostile acts against Americans
"The reports on this were everywhere, but this story from The Hill is a good example: “Hegseth boat strike fallout, war crime allegations: What to know.”
"The story reads, in part, this:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reported order in early September to “kill everybody” aboard an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean has sent shock waves throughout Washington, prompting scrutiny from key leaders in Congress and a cautious defense from President Trump.
"According to a report in The Washington Post on Friday, an initial strike left two survivors, and the commander in charge of the operation ordered a follow-up strike to comply with Hegseth’s orders to leave no survivors.
"The report has renewed questions about the legal basis of the Trump administration’s campaign against alleged “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean and Pacific, which has killed at least 80 alleged drug traffickers in recent months. The Trump administration says the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, but the administration has not publicly provided evidence showing an imminent threat to Americans."
"Unless one is way out there on the Leftist limb, there is nothing hard to understand here." . . .
Jeffrey Lord, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is a former aide to Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp. An author and former CNN commentator, he writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
