Congress Squanders Last Chance to Block Venezuela War Before Going on Vacation
“At least George Bush had the decency to come to Congress for approval in 2002. Don’t the American people deserve that respect today?”
License to Kill
Since September 2025, the Trump administration has conducted an undeclared war in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing scores of civilians by deploying drone strikes on boats they allege are carrying drugs.
Experts in the laws of war and members of Congress say the strikes are illegal extrajudicial killings because the military is not permitted to deliberately target civilians — even suspected criminals — who do not pose an imminent threat of violence.
The Intercept is covering how the war on terror and the war on drugs are becoming one and the same.
U.S. Military Willing to Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says
“If I had no concerns and I was confident in the lawful order, I would definitely execute that order.”
Chilling Dissent
White House Refuses to Rule Out Summary Executions of People on Its Secret Domestic Terrorist List
The Trump administration ignored questions about whether it would order the killings of those on its NSPM-7 list — even while answering our other queries.
The Intercept Briefing
“Trump Has Appointed Himself Judge, Jury, and Executioner”
The Trump administration is killing civilians in the Caribbean and Pacific and trying to suppress videos of boat strikes and press coverage.
U.S. Realizes It Can Seize Boats After All
After months of extrajudicial killings in the waters off Venezuela, the Trump administration opted instead to capture an oil tanker.
Official Propaganda for Caribbean Military Buildup Includes “Crusader Cross”
Once eschewed by the Pentagon, the “Jerusalem cross” has been co-opted by the far right — and embraced by Pete Hegseth.
Boat Strike Survivors Clung to Wreckage for Some 45 Minutes Before U.S. Military Killed Them
“There are a lot of disturbing aspects. But this is one of the most disturbing.”
Video of U.S. Military Killing Boat Strike Survivors Is Horrifying, Lawmakers Reveal
“What I saw in that room is one of the most troubling scenes I’ve ever seen in my time in public service.”
Pentagon Claims It “Absolutely” Knows Who It Killed in Boat Strikes. Prove It, Lawmaker Says.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said, “If there is intelligence to ‘absolutely confirm’ this, the Congress is ready to receive it.”
Department of War Disputes Second Attack on Boat Strike Survivors Was a “Double-Tap”
“Quibbling over the semantics of ‘double-tap’ doesn’t change the reality that the strike was a summary execution of men clinging to the remains of a boat.”