Congress Must Investigate Unlawful Execution of 11 People in Venezuelan Boat

The Trump administration ordered a military strike that destroyed a Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean, killing 11 people without presenting clear evidence they were involved in drug trafficking or terrorism. Officials claimed the boat was carrying narcotics linked to Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, but the lack of proof and the administration’s refusal to detail what made the vessel a legitimate target make these claims suspect. Pete Hegseth, serving as defense secretary, appeared on Fox News dismissing claims that the video was AI generated and called the victims “narco terrorists,” doubling down on the administration’s threat to anyone suspected of smuggling. Guessing the identities and motives of those aboard means the U.S. military just acted as judge and executioner on the global stage, with little transparency and no due process. There’s speculation from legal experts and even some U.S. lawmakers that the boat may not have been involved in the drug trade at all—a possibility not actively ruled out because there was no real field intelligence or warning before the strike. The administration simply announced dangerous actors were on board, without providing any names or supporting details. This willingness to strike based on suspicion alone sets a damaging precedent where the United States can unilaterally decide who is guilty and mete out lethal punishment worldwide. Such actions sidestep international law and undermine America’s credibility, sending the message that U.S. military power is exempt from oversight or moral restraint. This episode undermines global norms, erodes trust, and risks destabilizing regions rather than protecting them. I call on Congress take action to investigate this summary execution of eleven people, and to demand answers from the administration about who was on board and why this boat was targeted. Trump does not have the right to murder people without providing strong evidence in support of clear wrongdoing.