Trump administration tells Congress war law doesn't apply to cartel strikes

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

The Office of Legal Counsel told lawmakers that the War Powers Resolution, which requires Congress’s approval for ongoing military conflict, does not apply here.

A top Justice Department lawyer has told lawmakers that the Trump administration can continue its lethal strikes against alleged drug traffickers in Latin America — and is not bound by a decades-old law requiring Congress to give approval for ongoing hostilities.

T. Elliot Gaiser, head of the Trump administration’s Office of Legal Counsel, made his remarks to a small group of lawmakers this week amid signs that the president may be planning to escalate the military campaign in the region, including potentially hitting targets within Venezuela.

The president needs lawmakers’ approval for sustained military conflict under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which was passed in the wake of the Vietnam War to prevent another drawn-out, undeclared conflict.

A 60-day clock started ticking after the administration informed Congress on Sept. 4 that it had conducted a strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean two days earlier. It has followed that with a series of other strikes and has killed dozens of people so far.

Read more: https://wapo.st/3WzQial

[bluestarone]

1. Oh, so we're supposed to take your fucking word for it?

So, you're saying you can blow the fuck out of China's boats because you claim drug boats?? YOU can go fuck yourself!!

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. Which top Justice Dept. lawyer would that be?

Halligan, Pirro, Habba, or Blanche? Surely not T. Elliot Gaiser. Very reputable legal advice. You are certainly getting your money's worth, President Felon.

[Bayard]

3. trump has been calling it his, "war on drugs,"

As his excuse since the beginning. Was he lying then, or lying now?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. T. Elliot Gaiser

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Elliot_Gaiser

[Zorro]

5. Hillsdale College grad

Heritage Foundation intern.

I think we’ve got his number.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. In the sense of "this is not a war, so Trump isn't allowed to do anything at all", perhaps

Gaiser said the administration did not believe the strikes met the definition of hostilities under the law
...
The official said the administration does not believe U.S. troops are in danger in the ongoing operation, so the law did not apply.
...
“What they’re saying is anytime the president uses drones or any standoff weapon against someone who cannot shoot back, it’s not hostilities‚” said Brian Finucane, a former legal adviser to the State Department who is now a senior adviser for the U.S. program at the International Crisis Group. “It’s a wild claim of executive authority.”

"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?"
"When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything".

[republianmushroom]

7. Meaning they, the trump administration, will murder

who ever they want. And who wants to tell me republicans don't like playing "GOD". If it is not War, then it is murder.

[BidenRocks]

8. War on Drugs?

Policing actions? Two countries starting in V
Secret wars run by our clandestine government.

Shit, we're back in the 60s

[usonian]

9. Trump: We don't want to be the policemen of the world BY BRETT SAMUELS - 04/30/18 (Remember?)

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385521-trump-we-dont-want-to-be-the-policemen-of-the-world/

President Trump on Monday said the U.S. should no longer serve as the “policemen of the world.”

“We more and more are not wanting to be the policemen of the world,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We’re spending tremendous amounts of money for decades policing the world, and that shouldn’t be the priority,” he said. “We want to police ourselves and we want to rebuild our country. And the president understands that.”{mosads}

Trump ran on the promise that he would extricate the U.S. from foreign wars.

[RainCaster]

10. Because a felon is the legal expert?

Who in hell would listen to that criminal? He can't even recognize a senility test when he's taking one.

[twodogsbarking]

11. has killed dozens of people so far. has killed dozens of innocent people so far.

[Hugin]

12. I wonder if this small group of lawmakers was only republicans.

This may have been the meeting where democrats were intentionally excluded.

[malthaussen]

13. Oh, I see. It's a "police action." n/t

[maxrandb]

14. Fixed it for you

Trump administration tells Congress war law doesn't apply to cartel strikes