1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent military actions taken by the Trump administration in international waters. Since September, our military has conducted over a dozen strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, resulting in more than 70 deaths. These attacks, purportedly targeting "narco-terrorists," have been carried out without congressional authorization or sufficient transparency. The administration claims these strikes are aimed at groups like Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization in January 2025. However, no public evidence has been provided to substantiate that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking or to identify those on board. This lack of transparency is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about the legality and ethics of these operations. Legal scholars have rightly questioned the executive branch's authority to conduct these attacks without congressional approval. The potential for civilian casualties is alarming, as evidenced by Colombia's president accusing the U.S. of killing an innocent Colombian fisherman. These actions are straining our relationships with Latin American countries and could have long-lasting diplomatic consequences. As my representative, I urge you to take immediate action to halt these unauthorized military strikes. Congress must assert its oversight role and demand full transparency from the administration regarding these operations. We need a thorough investigation into the legality of these actions, the process for target selection, and the extent of civilian casualties. Furthermore, I implore you to work towards passing legislation that clearly defines and limits the executive branch's authority to conduct military operations in international waters without explicit congressional authorization. The separation of powers is fundamental to our democracy, and it's crucial that Congress reasserts its constitutional role in matters of war and peace. The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. Extra-judicial killings and unauthorized military actions undermine our nation's values and international standing. I ask that you prioritize this issue and take swift action to protect our constitutional principles and restore our reputation on the global stage.