1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Since September, the Trump administration's strikes on private boats near Venezuela have murdered dozens of civilians, in clear violation of both domestic and international law. They cannot be allowed to continue. The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are hiding even basic facts about the killings. They have repeatedly claimed these strikes are lawful, citing a secret legal opinion that apparently tries to bless the ongoing strikes as somehow lawful, but won't make it public. But, we're not in an armed conflict with these civilians, and it's a crime for the United States to use the military to kill people accused only of criminal conduct with no evidence and no trial. The secret memo also reportedly claims the administration can somehow immunize anyone who authorized or took part in these unlawful strikes from future criminal prosecution. As your constituent, I urge you to immediately hold public hearings and hold the Trump administration accountable for its illegal strikes. Public hearings must include Secretary Hegseth and every other official who planned, authorized, and carried out these strikes. And all key materials must be made public, starting with the secret legal opinion, and continuing to the unedited videos of the strikes and the orders themselves. Transparency can't wait while more people are murdered by our government. The Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that it intends to continue these killings. Yet the public – and the service members responsible for carrying out these orders – have been left without necessary information explaining or justifying these strikes. Congress must hold urgent oversight hearings while there's still an opportunity to stop these unlawful strikes. The president doesn't have the authority to act as judge, jury, and executioner. That is murder. Please use your power to demand accountability and bring this illegal killing campaign to an end.