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Donald Trump has ordered more deadly bombings of small fishing boats, killing everyone onboard, including an incident off the coast of Colombia. That was the ninth US attack against alleged drug dealers in international waters, just since September.Another strike was announced on Friday, bringing the number of people Trump calls “narco-terrorists” to have perished in these attacks up to 43. Trump previously told Fox News, “We take them out,” and later joked about how people, most of them desperately poor, are now afraid to fish along certain coastlines.Without releasing credible evidence, Trump claims the victims’ vessels were “stacked up with bags of white powder that’s mostly fentanyl and other drugs, too.” Trump says they were “smuggling a deadly weapon poisoning Americans,” on behalf of various “terrorist organizations.” Trump is calling the victims terrorists so that he can treat them as enemy combatants in a war that does not exist, just as he is doing at home. Domestically, we know Trump calls groups who oppose him politically “domestic terrorists.” We know he fabricated a domestic terrorist organization he calls “Antifa” to sell his plan for violence. We also know his administration is lying about peaceful protestors threatening ICE agents in order to justify ICE brutality, and that ICE refuses to wear body cams without a court order. Trump’s firehose of lies about domestic ‘terrorists’ won’t help his claims about ‘terrorists’ on the high seas.Is Trump confusing South America with China and Mexico?Colombian President Gustavo Petro has credibly accused Trump of murder. In response, instead of offering legal justification, Trump said he was cutting off foreign aid to Colombia, seemingly confusing that nation with Democratic-run states from whom he is also illegally withholding funds.Bragging about the killings, Trump falsely claimed that every exploded shipping vessel “saves 25,000 American lives.” In the factual world, about 100,000 Americans die each year from drug overdoses, mostly by fentanyl, which does not come from Venezuela, Colombia or any South American country. The fentanyl killing Americans comes from labs in Mexico and China. Given his difficulty with geography, Trump may not know the difference. At any rate, South America produces marijuana and cocaine, not fentanyl. Most of the killing fentanyl is smuggled into the country by US citizens, over land.Legal arguments don’t hold waterThe White House claims the strikes are a matter of self-defense. To get there, Trump “determined” that drug cartels like Tren de Aragua are “terrorists.” But officials say Tren de Aragua is not operating in the shipping routes under attack, and that the route Trump and Hegseth are targeting carries cocaine and marijuana to Europe and Africa, not the US.Legal experts on the use of armed force say Trump’s campaign is illegal because the military is not permitted to target civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities. Key legal instruments prohibiting extrajudicial killings and murder include the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Statute of the International Criminal Court, and customary international humanitarian law. The Trump administration has not publicly offered a legal theory that comports with any of these laws. Instead, the White House has argued that the attacks fall under the law of armed conflict (LOAC), which limits methods of warfare and sets out legally required protections for noncombatants and civilians during conflict. The US is in no such conflict; we are not under attack in the US or anywhere else, and Congress has declared no war.Designating drug cartels as “terrorist organizations” is also factually suspect. Drug cartels exist for profit; all purveyors of illicit drugs are in the business to make money. In contrast, “terrorists” by definition are motivated by ideological goals often involving politics or religion—not profit. Even if they were terrorists, international law would only allow the executive branch to respond through legal methods like freezing assets, trials and imprisonment. Hegseth and others will face court martial Trump and Hegseth’s legal arguments have been universally rejected by military legal experts including former lawyers in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, who have condemned the attacks as unlawful under both domestic and international law. Nevertheless, Hegseth has stated enthusiastically that the military will continue these executions.In February, Hegseth fired the JAGs whose job was to assess the legality of military actions. He may have deliberately done so to engage in illegal conduct and later claim a “mistake of law” defense, but that maneuver won’t save him. In US Servicemembers’ Exposure to Criminal Liability for Lethal Strikes on Narcoterrorists, Just Security lays it out under the Manual for Courts-Martial, and Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), concluding in the Venezuela strikes that:Despite the clear absence of an “imminent threat of death or serious injury” or “grave threat to life,” the U.S. Coast Guard did not interdict the alleged criminal narcotrafficking in the way this conduct has been historically (and recently) approached. These suspected criminals were not arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced through a regular course of criminal procedure and neutral adjudication in a court. They were killed extrajudicially for conduct that could not be plausibly labeled a military attack, use of force, or even threat of imminent harm to anyone in the United States or any other nation, and despite the opportunity and ability to use less-than-lethal force to stop the boats. An extrajudicial killing, premeditated and without justification or excuse and without the legal authority tied to an armed conflict, is properly called “murder.” And murder is still a crime for those in uniform who executed the strike even if their targets are dangerous criminals, and even if servicemembers were commanded to do so by their superiors, including the President of the United States.Under this analysis, “every officer in the chain of command who … directed downward the initial order from the President or Secretary of Defense” would likely fall within the meaning of traditional accomplice liability, and could be charged for murder under Article 118. Even if a corrupt Supreme Court gave Trump criminal immunity for murder (an unsettled question), someone should let Hegseth know that immunity does not extend to him, or to other service members piloting the drones or firing the missiles under orders that are obviously illegal.Sabrina Haake is a columnist and 25+ year federal trial attorney specializing in 1st and 14th A defense. Her Substack, The Haake Take, is free.

Donald Trump Saturday announced higher tariff rates on Canada, specifically because of an anti-tariff ad using Ronald Reagan's own words, and spurred outrage from observers.The president has for days raged about the ad, which plays the words of Reagan talking about the dangers of imposing too many barriers to trade on other countries. Then, Trump imposed real consequences over the weekend."Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagan’s Speech on Tariffs," Trump claimed. "The Reagan Foundation said that they, 'created an ad campaign using selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan. The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address,' and 'did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is reviewing its legal options in this matter.' The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their 'rescue' on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States."He then announced the 10% boost to tariffs for Canada.That didn't sit well with onlookers, including White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg, who said, "Let’s be clear about what this is. Canada isn’t paying a godd---- thing.""He’s increasing taxes on Americans by executive fiat because he didn’t like an advertisement that quoted Reagan’s (accurate) views on tariffs," he then added. "You (and I) are paying these taxes — not Canada."MeidasTouch chimed in with, "Trump says he’s increasing tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by 10% because Ontario’s commercial that accurately used Ronald Reagan’s words about tariffs made him sad."Economist Justin Wolfers said, "It just got 10% dumber.""Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader," he then added.Tax analyst Erica York said, "The President should not have the power to arbitrarily impose tariffs.""Is the new 10% tariff on imports from Canada related to the fentanyl emergency or the reciprocal trade emergency or are hurt feelings also now a national emergency?" she further added.

Donald Trump on Saturday announced a new, higher tariff rate on Canada after the airing of an advertisement that used Ronald Reagan's words against the current president.The president has for days raged about the ad, which plays the words of Reagan talking about the dangers of imposing too many tariffs on other countries.Now, he is imposing real consequences."Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagan’s Speech on Tariffs," Trump claimed. "The Reagan Foundation said that they, 'created an ad campaign using selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan. The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address,' and 'did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is reviewing its legal options in this matter.' The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their 'rescue' on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States."Trump then added, "Now the United States is able to defend itself against high and overbearing Canadian Tariffs (and those from the rest of the World as well!).""Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didn’t! Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD," he further claimed. "Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"Read the post here.

Donald Trump on Saturday made a major threat connected to the shaky peace deal between Israel and Hamas.The president took to Truth Social over the weekend to air his grievances toward Hamas."We have a very strong PEACE in the Middle East, and I believe it has a good chance of being EVERLASTING," Trump claimed before adding, "Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action."He then continued:"Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not. Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, 'Both sides would be treated fairly,' that only applies if they comply with their obligations." Trump then concluded, "Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely."Read it right here.

President Donald Trump announced he was cutting off trade talks with Canada over an advertisement released by Ontario's provincial government featuring critical comments about tariffs made by the late Ronald Reagan.The former president's foundation claimed the ad issued this week "misrepresents" Reagan's 1987 speech, in which he argued tariffs “every American worker and consumer” and “triggering fierce trade wars," and the foundation is "reviewing legal options" and Trump is lashing out."The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs," Trump posted late Thursday on Truth Social. "The ad was for $75,000,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts."The U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments next month on the president's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act after lower courts found Trump's orders unlawful, and the federal government could be required to refund up to $1 trillion in revenue to American companies if the justices uphold those decisions."TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.," Trump posted. "Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT"Trump has thrown the centuries-long friendly relationship between the U.S. and Canada into turmoil with steep tariffs on autos, aluminum, energy, lumber and steel and threatened to take over Canada as the 51st state, and the trade war has hurt both nations' economies and job markets.Read it here.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association has issued a blistering response to President Donald Trump's comments about American cattle ranchers.Trump on Wednesday said, "The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil.""If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!" he claimed. "It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"The association reposted Trump's comments on Facebook, along with a reply."The reality is that ranchers’ success is driven by their own hard work," it stated. "America’s cattlemen and women operate in one of the most competitive marketplaces in the world. U.S. cattle producers are proud to provide the safest, highest-quality beef on earth. We simply ask that the government not undercut them by importing more Argentinian beef in order to manipulate prices."The group continued, adding, "Cattlemen and women cannot stand behind President Trump while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef.""It is imperative that President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins let cattle markets work without interference," the organization then concluded. "If the administration is truly an ally of America’s cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets and focus instead on completing the promised New World Screwworm facility in Texas; make additional investments that protect the domestic cattle herd from foreign animal diseases such as FMD; and address regulatory burdens, such as delisting of the gray wolf and addressing the scourge of black vultures."

First lady Melania Trump has pledged to get Ukrainian children returned from Russian captivity, but her mission is fraught with high-stakes risks.President Donald Trump's wife last week hailed the return of eight Ukrainian children to their families, and while advocates celebrated the reunions, they also raised concerns about the first lady's passive-voice characterization of how they ended up in Russia, reported CNN.“Everyone is moving very carefully, but everyone is clear on the point that the first lady’s office needs to hear: Thank you — but it is 35,000 kids, not seven or eight,” said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab.The research lab operates the Ukraine Conflict Observatory through private donations after the Trump administration cut its funding, and Raymond worried that Melania Trump was understating the gravity of the situation.“It is kids who were taken as a war crime and kids who are being militarized and were abducted by a state — not lost in the war," Raymond said. "Language matters."The Yale lab reported last month that children had been taken to at least 210 locations to be re-educated in alignment with Russian values and narratives, and in some cases trained for combat against Ukraine, and some advocates expressed concern that Putin might try to manipulate the first lady through her direct involvement.“Every returned child is wonderful for that family and that child, so that is good," said Bill Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "But there are more than 19,000 of these, and I do think that Putin is cynically using this in an attempt to make the Trumps more sympathetic to him.""I think the first lady is genuinely interested in getting the Ukrainian children home," Taylor added. "But the fact is that Putin is not. He could return all of these kids and end the war tomorrow if he wanted."The president himself blurred the numbers after a two-hour phone call with Putin, saying the number of children could be anywhere between 20,000 and 300, and a Republican congressional aide revealed some skepticism around Melania Trump’s direct line with Putin, but so far no one on Capitol Hill wants to challenge the White House on the issue.“If there needs to be conversations with the White House on this, there will be, but I have no indication that Melania believes what Putin says,” the aide said.

The White House announced on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will not attend a meeting in Hungary with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking about the report on MSNBC, international affairs reporter Elise Labott is hopeful that this will influence Trump's decision about sending more weapons to Ukraine. It hasn't in the past, however. Trump spent over two hours on the phone with Putin last week and announced a trip to Hungary with the world leaders as part of the ongoing efforts to end the war after the Russian invasion. "Kind of an abrupt postponement. But maybe the question is, should we be surprised?" asked MSNBC host Chris Jansing. "I'm surprised that he's not going," said Labott. "I think Donald Trump can't quit ... Vladimir Putin. He wants to go there. He wants to see that — he — obviously, we just talked about the Middle East. He fancies himself a dealmaker. He really wants to get Putin to agree, and he thinks that he can. I think the fact that he's not going is a recognition by President Trump himself that Vladimir Putin has no interest in ending the war."She recalled that U.S. officials were also set to meet with Russian officials, but now those meetings are canceled. Labott said that the Russian position hasn't changed, but she'll be curious to see if Trump will give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine after all. During his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said he wasn't prepared to provide them with anything. "Now that President Trump has made the conclusion, you know, [Putin] is continuing to play us, he's not ready to end the war. I'm going to look to see whether President Trump is ready to, you know, put the squeeze on Putin. And at least in rhetoric, I think you'll hear more about these tomahawks. Now, whether President Trump is actually willing to give them to the Ukrainians is an open question because that would be an escalation."