Trump's Law of War

What It Covers

Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance analyze Trump administration's legal justification for military strikes on Venezuelan boats, oil tanker seizure, and controversial regime change strategy under war powers.

Key Questions Answered

• •War Powers Classification: Administration claims drug interdiction constitutes non-international armed conflict to invoke war powers, but legal experts argue traditional law enforcement framework applies, not military engagement authority under international law.
• •Second Strike Legality: Laws of war prohibit firing on shipwrecked survivors who are hors de combat (out of combat). Two men in water after initial boat strike required rescue under US military manual, not lethal force.
• •Tanker Seizure Authority: US seized Venezuelan oil tanker potentially flying false flag, claiming sanctions violation. Action may exceed international law of the sea boundaries, though US never signed UN maritime treaty, creating legal ambiguity.