WASHINGTON—The deep policy and political divide between congressional Republicans and Democrats continues, even on issues like the current war on drugs, drugs that have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans.
The Trump administration has been using precise military kinetic action in the Caribbean Sea against Venezuela-based drug cartels.
Republican lawmakers have praised the Trump administration for using lethal force to curb the flow of drugs into the country, but Democrats appear more focused on pushing back against the president for using deadly force without congressional consent.
Texas Rep. Greg Casar told Texas Politics that while he was “extremely concerned with the activity of cartels,” he was opposed to President Trump “unilaterally declaring war without consent of Congress.”
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was quick to dismiss Rep. Casar’s assertion that President Trump had declared war against anyone.
“He's not declaring war, and frankly, I mean, who's going to be on the side of traffickers except for people who hate the Republican brand,” said Rep. Luna.
While House Republicans support the Trump administration targeting drug cartels, there are members that do not support getting into an armed conflict or sending American troops into Venezuela.
“Just no protracted, long wars,” said Rep. Wesley Hunt when asked about the military action that has taken place in Venezuela. “President Trump is the peace president.”
Trump has said that he has not ruled out targeting the cartels on Venezuelan soil.
