Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has strongly criticized the Trump administration's recent airstrikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, arguing that such military actions resemble wartime powers that require congressional approval. Raskin emphasized that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war and called for lawmakers to reassert their oversight over military operations.

The Trump administration has conducted over 20 strikes since November, targeting vessels it claims are linked to terrorist threats. However, these actions have sparked legal debates, with critics questioning whether the strikes violate international law and due process. Raskin warned against allowing the military to act as judge and executioner without proper legal safeguards.

Supporters of the administration, including some Republican lawmakers, have defended the strikes by citing precedents from previous administrations, which carried out similar operations without formal war declarations. Despite these arguments, pressure is mounting from Democratic lawmakers for answers on the legality and oversight of the Caribbean strikes.