1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent U.S. military strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean that resulted in 14 deaths. These actions, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of President Trump's campaign against alleged narcotics traffickers, raise serious questions about the use of military force and the lack of congressional oversight. The strikes, conducted in international waters, targeted vessels purportedly on narco-trafficking routes. While combating drug trafficking is important, the use of lethal military force without due process is extremely troubling. Senator Rand Paul has rightly characterized these as "extrajudicial killings," and I share his concern. President Trump's statement that his administration will merely inform Congress about the strikes, rather than seeking proper authorization, is a clear violation of the constitutional separation of powers. The Constitution grants Congress, not the President, the power to declare war and authorize military actions of this nature. I urge you to take immediate action to: 1. Demand a full, transparent investigation into these strikes and their authorization. 2. Call for congressional hearings to examine the legality and ethics of this military campaign. 3. Introduce or support legislation that reinforces Congress's role in authorizing military actions and prevents future extrajudicial killings. 4. Ensure that all officials involved in authorizing these strikes, including Defense Secretary Hegseth, are held accountable for their actions. The potential for further escalation, including President Trump's mention of possible land strikes in Venezuela, makes this matter even more urgent. We must act now to prevent any further unauthorized use of military force and to restore the proper balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. As your constituent, I implore you to take a stand against these actions and work to uphold our constitutional principles. The lives lost in these strikes demand accountability, and it is crucial that we prevent any future unauthorized military actions that could lead to more unnecessary deaths.