Himes Warns MAGA on Trump’s Drug-Boat Strikes, Says Precedent Could Empower President Ocasio-Cortez

He argues the strikes lack legal authorization, a direct challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s claim of broad presidential power.

Overview

Speaking on MSNBC’s Chris Jansing Reports, Rep. Jim Himes called recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats illegal and urged Republicans to consider who might be targeted under a future Democratic president.
Himes, the House Intelligence Committee’s ranking Democrat, said he has not seen target lists or safeguards to verify the vessels were drug traffickers rather than civilians.
Earlier Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham defended President Donald Trump’s authority to order the operations and said most Americans would support the actions.
U.S. officials have confirmed multiple lethal strikes this month, including incidents on Oct. 3, Oct. 17 and Oct. 22 that killed people on vessels alleged to be tied to narcotics or designated groups.
The operations have drawn international pushback, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemning the killings and Trump responding by blasting Petro in public remarks reported by Mediaite.