The Intercept Briefing
License to Kill: Trump’s Extrajudicial Executions
Akela Lacy, Radley Balko, and Nick Turse discuss the administration’s rhetoric and rationale to justify extrajudicial killings abroad — and possibly at home.
License to Kill
Since September 2025, the Trump administration has conducted an undeclared war in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing scores of civilians by deploying drone strikes on boats they allege are carrying drugs.
Experts in the laws of war and members of Congress say the strikes are illegal extrajudicial killings because the military is not permitted to deliberately target civilians — even suspected criminals — who do not pose an imminent threat of violence.
The Intercept is covering how the war on terror and the war on drugs are becoming one and the same.
Fetterman Is Sole Democrat to Vote Against Blocking Caribbean Drug Boat Attacks
It was the first time members of Congress were put on record about whether they supported or opposed the president’s war in the Caribbean.
Collateral Damage
Trump’s War on Drugs
Journalist Radley Balko examines how Trump’s war on immigrants merges and expands the lethal policies of the wars on drugs and terror.
Trump Declares He Can Wage Secret Wars Against Anyone He Calls an Enemy
“The Trump administration is saying that one person — the president — now decides if the United States is going to war.”
Trump Administration Conjures Up New “Terrorist” Designation to Justify Killing Civilians
The U.S. military justified the slaughter of alleged drug traffickers by claiming links to “designated terrorist organizations.”
Venezuela Boat Crews Targeted by Trump Are Low-Level Pawns in the Drug Game
When drug boat operators get caught, they usually get a few years in prison. Now Trump is executing them without trials.
Pentagon Barred Senior House Staffers From Briefing on Venezuela Boat Strike
A former Pentagon official says “U.S. forces went out and committed murder” in the drone strike off the coast of Venezuela.
Ilhan Omar Brings War Powers to Block Trump Attacks After Venezuela Boat Strike
The resolution, shared exclusively with The Intercept, is the first measure to address the U.S. strike on a boat leaving Venezuela.
U.S. Attacked Boat Near Venezuela Multiple Times to Kill Survivors
American officials said the repeat drone strikes were carried out by Special Operations Command, and more attacks could come soon.
Rand Paul Reveals Venezuela Boat Attack Was a Drone Strike
The senator told The Intercept the attack defied rules of engagement and came from a drone. A legal expert calls it murder.