Heather Brandon-Smith
@hbrandon-smith.bsky.social
Foreign Policy Director @fcnl.bsky.social | Adjunct at Georgetown Law.
War powers, AUMF, law of war, use of force, international law
War powers, AUMF, law of war, use of force, international law
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
"...the Trump admin’s assertion is utterly nonsensical because the US is simply not in an armed conflict with any cartel... [The admin] claims extraordinary authorities by merely asserting the existence of a legal condition irrespective of the facts. This is not how the law or reality works."
It's not a NIAC -- there is no armed conflict between the United States and 24 cartels and criminal organizations in Latin America from me at @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/18/c...
Why Trump's Justifications for Drone Killings Fall Short
Whatever the administration says, the U.S. is not actually at war with nonstate actors
foreignpolicy.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:10 PM
"...the Trump admin’s assertion is utterly nonsensical because the US is simply not in an armed conflict with any cartel... [The admin] claims extraordinary authorities by merely asserting the existence of a legal condition irrespective of the facts. This is not how the law or reality works."
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
Ranking Members @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social and @crow.house.gov and @repilhan.bsky.social, introduced a War Powers Resolution to block the Trump admin from continuing to conduct strikes in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.
November 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Ranking Members @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social and @crow.house.gov and @repilhan.bsky.social, introduced a War Powers Resolution to block the Trump admin from continuing to conduct strikes in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
"'The concerning aspect of this move is that it could be a prelude to military action against the Venezuelan government itself,' Finucane said, calling it another step in Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s 'efforts to cloak a regime change operation in the guise of counternarcotics.'”
Pleased to speak with Katie Bo Lillis of @cnn.com about the pending designation of the purported "Cartel de los Soles" as a foreign terrorist organization.
Another step to cloak Rubio's policy of regime change in the guise of counterterrorism and counter-narcotics.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/a...
Another step to cloak Rubio's policy of regime change in the guise of counterterrorism and counter-narcotics.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/a...
Is the US targeting a Venezuelan cartel that may not technically exist? | CNN
The United States intends to slap new, terror-related sanctions against an alleged drug trafficking organization it claims is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"'The concerning aspect of this move is that it could be a prelude to military action against the Venezuelan government itself,' Finucane said, calling it another step in Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s 'efforts to cloak a regime change operation in the guise of counternarcotics.'”
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
Thank you to to @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social, @crow.house.gov, @repilhan.bsky.social for you leadership to stop this illegal and immoral abuse of military force!
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Thank you to to @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social, @crow.house.gov, @repilhan.bsky.social for you leadership to stop this illegal and immoral abuse of military force!
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
New: House reps have introduced a War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump's murderous boat strikes and military escalation in Latin America.
As Rep. Meeks said, these lawless strikes combine the "worst excesses of the war of drugs and the war on terror.”
As Rep. Meeks said, these lawless strikes combine the "worst excesses of the war of drugs and the war on terror.”
House Democrats Press for Vote to Bar Military Action in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
New: House reps have introduced a War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump's murderous boat strikes and military escalation in Latin America.
As Rep. Meeks said, these lawless strikes combine the "worst excesses of the war of drugs and the war on terror.”
As Rep. Meeks said, these lawless strikes combine the "worst excesses of the war of drugs and the war on terror.”
Thank you to @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social @crow.house.gov, and @repilhan.bsky.social for introducing a new war powers resolution to stop the lawless strikes on the high seas. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
House Democrats Press for Vote to Bar Military Action in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Thank you to @meeks.house.gov, @adamsmith.house.gov, @jahimes.bsky.social, @benniethompson.bsky.social @crow.house.gov, and @repilhan.bsky.social for introducing a new war powers resolution to stop the lawless strikes on the high seas. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
This makes 75 deaths in 19 strikes.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This makes 75 deaths in 19 strikes.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
FCNL’s @hbrandon-smith.bsky.social joined @npr.org to break down Trump’s murderous, lawless strikes at sea:
“What the administration is claiming is that it has the right to kill people who are not firing upon the U.S. … and that it can do this indefinitely without any say-so from Congress.”
“What the administration is claiming is that it has the right to kill people who are not firing upon the U.S. … and that it can do this indefinitely without any say-so from Congress.”
Some lawmakers are worried that Trump is dragging the U.S. into war with Venezuela
President Trump is escalating boat strikes near Venezuela without ruling out hitting targets in the country. Lawmakers are warning the U.S. may be drifting toward war without a clear justification.
www.npr.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
FCNL’s @hbrandon-smith.bsky.social joined @npr.org to break down Trump’s murderous, lawless strikes at sea:
“What the administration is claiming is that it has the right to kill people who are not firing upon the U.S. … and that it can do this indefinitely without any say-so from Congress.”
“What the administration is claiming is that it has the right to kill people who are not firing upon the U.S. … and that it can do this indefinitely without any say-so from Congress.”
"Venezuela today presents many of the same temptations and dangers that Libya did in 2011 ... But a military intervention would not solve these problems, nor would it stem the tide of fentanyl arriving in the US. It would, however, almost certainly make them worse."
www.cato.org/blog/dont-re...
www.cato.org/blog/dont-re...
Don’t Repeat Libya: The Dangers of US Intervention in Venezuela
A Venezuelan uprising against Maduro would mark a triumph for human freedom, but we shouldn’t use the US military as a tool of their revolution. The United States should resist the urge to repeat hist...
www.cato.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:49 PM
"Venezuela today presents many of the same temptations and dangers that Libya did in 2011 ... But a military intervention would not solve these problems, nor would it stem the tide of fentanyl arriving in the US. It would, however, almost certainly make them worse."
www.cato.org/blog/dont-re...
www.cato.org/blog/dont-re...
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
NEW:
In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution.
www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...
In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution.
www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...
Dissecting the Trump Administration’s Effort to Circumvent the War Powers Resolution for Boat Strikes
Analysis of Trump administration's claim that War Powers Resolution's regulating US troops in "hostilities" does not apply to boat strikes.
www.justsecurity.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEW:
In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution.
www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...
In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution.
www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...
Today marks the expiration of the "60-day clock" under the War Powers Resolution. This requires the Trump admin to end its strikes targeting suspected members of drug cartels in international waters.
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
Expert Backgrounder on War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock for Boat Strikes Expiring Monday
Expert backgrounder on how War Powers Resolution works in application to U.S. military operations against suspected drug cartels.
www.justsecurity.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Today marks the expiration of the "60-day clock" under the War Powers Resolution. This requires the Trump admin to end its strikes targeting suspected members of drug cartels in international waters.
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
“Even if we knew for certain that the boats being destroyed … 1) contained illegal drugs; 2) those drugs were headed for our shores; and 3) all on board were criminals, it would still be grossly illegal and immoral to blast them out of the water … This is murder.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
Trump’s Targeting of ‘Narcoterrorists’ Is a Crime in Itself
Shoot first, ask questions when?
www.thebulwark.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:08 AM
“Even if we knew for certain that the boats being destroyed … 1) contained illegal drugs; 2) those drugs were headed for our shores; and 3) all on board were criminals, it would still be grossly illegal and immoral to blast them out of the water … This is murder.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
“These attacks – and their mounting human cost – are unacceptable. The US must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them.”
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
US attacks in Caribbean and Pacific violate international human rights law – UN Human Rights Chief
GENEVA – Airstrikes by the United States of America on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific – allegedly linked to drug trafficking – violate international human rights law, UN High Commissioner for ...
www.ohchr.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“These attacks – and their mounting human cost – are unacceptable. The US must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them.”
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Rep. Adam Smith saying that the president has determined that drug trafficking deserves the death penalty and he has appointed himself judge, jury and executioner.
Said that in yesterday's briefing the admin didn't try to defend the legality of boat strikes.
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
Said that in yesterday's briefing the admin didn't try to defend the legality of boat strikes.
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
A Conversation With Representative Adam Smith
Representative Adam Smith discusses his vision for U.S. global engagement, defense, and diplomacy, and shares his insights as ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.If you wish to atten…
www.cfr.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Rep. Adam Smith saying that the president has determined that drug trafficking deserves the death penalty and he has appointed himself judge, jury and executioner.
Said that in yesterday's briefing the admin didn't try to defend the legality of boat strikes.
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
Said that in yesterday's briefing the admin didn't try to defend the legality of boat strikes.
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
"Lt. Gen. Joe McGee ... left his position earlier this month"
Sources said "that McGee had frequently 'pushed back' against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean."
www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/p...
Sources said "that McGee had frequently 'pushed back' against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean."
www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/p...
Exclusive: Three-star general pushed out amid tensions with Hegseth | CNN Politics
A three-star general serving on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff has been pushed out of his position following months of sustained tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to people famili...
www.cnn.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"Lt. Gen. Joe McGee ... left his position earlier this month"
Sources said "that McGee had frequently 'pushed back' against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean."
www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/p...
Sources said "that McGee had frequently 'pushed back' against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean."
www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/p...
"The fact that the vessels our forces are attacking are encountered on the high seas does not give the president any more authority to employ lethal force than if drug traffickers were found selling drugs on an American street."
www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-b...
www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-b...
The Bogus ‘High Seas’ Rationale for the President’s Missile Attacks | National Review
www.nationalreview.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
"The fact that the vessels our forces are attacking are encountered on the high seas does not give the president any more authority to employ lethal force than if drug traffickers were found selling drugs on an American street."
www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-b...
www.nationalreview.com/corner/the-b...
"Treating international drug smuggling as an armed conflict and drug traffickers as combatants has implications far beyond the legal realm. U.S. adversaries could use this precedent to gain advantage on the global stage."
www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2025...
US troops should be alarmed at Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats
Opinion: The author of this op-ed argues the recent strikes on alleged drug boats create a precedent that gives an advantage to America's near-peer adversaries.
www.militarytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"Treating international drug smuggling as an armed conflict and drug traffickers as combatants has implications far beyond the legal realm. U.S. adversaries could use this precedent to gain advantage on the global stage."
www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
Doug Krugman is a 24-year Marine Corps veteran who chose to resign rather than participate in Trump's and Hegseth's #ForeverWars. His voice carries the weight of someone who has personally made "life and death targeting calls" in combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.
October 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Doug Krugman is a 24-year Marine Corps veteran who chose to resign rather than participate in Trump's and Hegseth's #ForeverWars. His voice carries the weight of someone who has personally made "life and death targeting calls" in combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.
"That Trump can concoct a war and then summarily kill people is all the more troubling as Trump deploys troops in Democratic-run cities. What would stop him from claiming to be at 'war' with protesters or other critics and ordering them shot?"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s saber-rattling in Venezuela is illegal | Kenneth Roth
Trump’s threats against the country and attacks on nearby boats cannot be justified under international law
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"That Trump can concoct a war and then summarily kill people is all the more troubling as Trump deploys troops in Democratic-run cities. What would stop him from claiming to be at 'war' with protesters or other critics and ordering them shot?"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sen. Rand Paul calling the boat strikes what they are:
"...I would call them extrajudicial killings ... And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So, it’s wrong.”
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
"...I would call them extrajudicial killings ... And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So, it’s wrong.”
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Sen. Rand Paul calling the boat strikes what they are:
"...I would call them extrajudicial killings ... And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So, it’s wrong.”
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
"...I would call them extrajudicial killings ... And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So, it’s wrong.”
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
🚨 Did you know? The last remaining nuclear weapons treaty between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in February.
On Tuesday, join FCNL's Allen Hester for a webinar hosted by @winwithoutwar.bsky.social to learn how you can join advocates mobilizing to stop a nuclear arms race.
Register ⬇️
On Tuesday, join FCNL's Allen Hester for a webinar hosted by @winwithoutwar.bsky.social to learn how you can join advocates mobilizing to stop a nuclear arms race.
Register ⬇️
October 26, 2025 at 3:07 PM
🚨 Did you know? The last remaining nuclear weapons treaty between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in February.
On Tuesday, join FCNL's Allen Hester for a webinar hosted by @winwithoutwar.bsky.social to learn how you can join advocates mobilizing to stop a nuclear arms race.
Register ⬇️
On Tuesday, join FCNL's Allen Hester for a webinar hosted by @winwithoutwar.bsky.social to learn how you can join advocates mobilizing to stop a nuclear arms race.
Register ⬇️
Thank you @meeks.house.gov for calling for a hearing on the recent strikes in the Caribbean that have killed at least 43 civilians. Congress cannot remain silent while the administration summarily executes people without charge or trial.
s3.amazonaws.com/quorum-pdf-l...
s3.amazonaws.com/quorum-pdf-l...
s3.amazonaws.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Thank you @meeks.house.gov for calling for a hearing on the recent strikes in the Caribbean that have killed at least 43 civilians. Congress cannot remain silent while the administration summarily executes people without charge or trial.
s3.amazonaws.com/quorum-pdf-l...
s3.amazonaws.com/quorum-pdf-l...
Reposted by Heather Brandon-Smith
"For the first time in U.S. history, lethal military force has been authorized solely to target drug traffickers—a move that marks an extraordinary assertion of expanded presidential power."
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
Caribbean Strikes and Collapse of Legal Oversight in U.S. Military
Congress and the public must address the pressures imposed on servicemembers and defend the guardrails that protect democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
"For the first time in U.S. history, lethal military force has been authorized solely to target drug traffickers—a move that marks an extraordinary assertion of expanded presidential power."
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG