1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean, which have resulted in the deaths of over 75 people since September 2. These actions appear to stem from a disturbing suggestion made by then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove in February, who reportedly told drug prosecutors that the U.S. should "just sink the boats" instead of interdicting them. This shift in policy from traditional maritime interdictions to lethal strikes raises serious legal and ethical questions. The administration has not provided public evidence that these boats posed a direct threat to the United States, and many current and former officials are questioning the legality and effectiveness of these actions. Some have even gone so far as to call it "murder." The Justice Department's secret legal memo attempting to justify these strikes by claiming the U.S. is in a non-international armed conflict with cartels is deeply troubling. This rationale seems to be a dangerous expansion of military authority without proper oversight or transparency. Furthermore, this approach eliminates valuable intelligence sources and may not effectively reduce the flow of drugs into our country. The closure of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the transfer of cases to new Homeland Security Task Forces under the previous administration has already disrupted our drug enforcement efforts. I urge you to take immediate action: 1. Launch a thorough investigation into Emil Bove's role in initiating this policy and his current position within the Justice Department. 2. Call for an immediate halt to these military strikes pending a full review of their legality and effectiveness. 3. Demand the release of the Justice Department's legal memo for public and congressional scrutiny. 4. Support the reinstatement of OCDETF and a return to evidence-based, intelligence-driven drug enforcement strategies. The lives lost in these strikes and the potential for escalating military involvement in drug interdiction demand urgent attention. We need a transparent, lawful, and effective approach to combating drug trafficking that doesn't compromise our nation's values or international standing. Your action on this matter is crucial for upholding the rule of law and protecting both American interests and human rights.