Overview

• Senator Mike Lee suggests issuing letters of marque to allow private security firms or trained civilians to target drug cartels' supply chains and assets.
• The proposal, grounded in a constitutional provision, would enable privateers to seize non-contraband assets like cash, gold, and vehicles for compensation.
• Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr. publicly endorsed the idea, citing its potential for rapid implementation against cartel threats.
• Critics, including legal experts, raise concerns about logistical challenges, such as monetizing seized assets and the modern applicability of the practice.
• The proposal aims to reduce taxpayer costs and provide an alternative to military action, though it has sparked debate on its feasibility and ethics.