United States of America - November 2025

Between September and at least up until mid-November, the US military has carried out strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific, killing at least 83 people. Those killed include people from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S government has justified the strikes based on the assertion that the country is engaged in a non-international armed conflict and that drug traffickers are causing the deaths of thousands of Americans. Several measures to block the strikes under the 1973 War Powers Resolution (a resolution that sought to reaffirm congressional oversight over a war declaration) have failed in the Senate. Though Congress was notified when the strikes began, critics have stressed the need for Congressional approval of military action that exceeds 60 days (which happened on November 4) and is absent a certification of military necessity (as required by the War Powers Resolution). Experts note the need for drug trafficking to be curtailed through law enforcement instead of military action.

Sources: The New York Times (1), CBS News, The New York Times (2), BBC, NBC News, AP News, The New York Times (3), Just Security

Following the release of a video in which Democratic lawmakers urged members of the military to refuse illegal orders, President Trump used social media to call for their arrest and trial, characterizing their actions as sedition and noting that sedition is punishable by death. The posts were widely condemned, particularly given the current climate of political polarization and recent incidents of political violence. The White House later denied that the statements constituted a threat of death or violence. Reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice had opened inquiries into the lawmakers featured in the video were also criticized by Democrats as harassment and intimidation.

Sources: Politico, NBC News, The New York Times, BBC, Senate Judiciary Committee