Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) shared frustrations similar to those expressed by Democrats after a bipartisan House briefing on U.S. military actions targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, which took place on Thursday. Turner noted that a Pentagon lawyer, who was supposed to clarify the legal justifications for these attacks, did not attend.
“People were really unhappy with the information shared,” he stated on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Friday. “It was meant to be a bipartisan briefing, but attendees felt dissatisfied with the depth of information and the legal legitimacy offered.”
Democratic lawmakers present at the briefing regarding airstrikes on suspected drug smuggling ships, which have reportedly resulted in over 60 deaths, expressed disappointment over the lack of clarity surrounding the legality of these operations.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army officer, related, “What I received was a tactical overview. There was no comprehensive strategy presented or any assessment on how to curb the influx of drugs into the U.S. That is crucial.”
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) mentioned that the briefing included input from “some policy officials” as well as Maj. Gen. Brian H. Bennett, who serves as deputy director of special operations on the Joint Staff.
Rep. Sarah Jacobs (D-Calif.) questioned the accuracy of the information shared, indicating, “They acknowledged that the narcotics originating from this region is primarily cocaine. They touched on the link between cocaine and fentanyl, but I’m not convinced that what they said was correct. This highlights that the focus isn’t truly on fentanyl or the rising death toll of Americans, which is a significant issue that needs our attention.”
The White House counters these claims, accusing Democrats of propagating “false narratives” intended to distract from ongoing governmental issues. Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that the Pentagon has conducted nine bipartisan briefings related to this campaign and is addressing inquiries from lawmakers as they arise.
Military actions against suspected drug smuggling vessels continued this week, resulting in the U.S. military’s elimination of four “narco-terrorists” in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
This military campaign unfolds alongside the Trump administration’s efforts to displace Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying reconnaissance aircraft, at least one submarine, a warship, and recently mobilizing the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to the area.
Turner, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, emphasized that there is widespread concern about drug trafficking and its repercussions for the United States, yet the briefing did not adequately address lawmakers’ inquiries.
He expressed, “Yesterday, we didn’t receive satisfactory answers regarding the criteria for designating cartels as terrorist entities. While we grasp the rationale behind this designation, we’re left wondering what those criteria are and how decisions are made regarding military engagement.”
